Bid for Marne siphon upgrade OK”d

The Spokane City Council on Monday approved a low bid from Red Diamond Construction Inc. to install improvements to a sewer siphon near the Marne Bridge at Hangman Creek.

The project involves shutting down two older siphons under the creek and upgrading a third existing siphon with new pipe connections, city officials said. The siphons carry wastewater underneath the creek. Work is expected to begin this spring.

Red Diamond of Spokane Valley submitted a bid of $187,600, which was 10 percent above the engineering estimate for the project. Two other bids were received – from L&L Cargile Inc. of Spokane, at $193,300, and Eller Corp. of Newman Lake, at $206,500.

In other business, the council approved a purchase and sale agreement with Betty Stratton at an amount not to exceed $95,000 for property at 7201 N. Five Mile Road for future widening of the road. The property involved in the deal will be used to improve the sweep of a curve along the property and in part to handle stormwater drainage.

Also, the council set a hearing date of May 17 at 1:30 p.m. before the city hearing examiner for the formation of a local improvement district to finance improvements to Napa Street from 13th to 14th avenues. The hearing will be at City Hall.

In another matter, the City Council set a hearing for May 16 at its regular 6 p.m. council meeting for proposed closure of part of 22nd Avenue from 200 feet east of Ray Street to Thor Street. The section runs along Lincoln Heights Elementary School.

The west end of the block was previously approved for closure as a street vacation. Spokane Public Schools requested both vacations.

The newest one has support from all adjacent property owners, according to city staff documents.