Urban Renewal Bids come in $125-thousand under estimates
It’s a sign of the times… the largest response to a public works project bid request ever in Florence. In all, 13 contractors submitted bids for Phase One of a three-part, $25-million infrastructure improvement in Old Town Florence. City Manager Jacque Betz said a mid-Willamette Valley contractor will likely begin work in March.
Jacque Betz – “The lowest bids went to R&G Excavating and they’re out of Scio. And it was in the amount of $474,240.”
Betz said the low bid, which still must be approved by the City Council, was well under the estimated $600-thousand pricetag.
Jacque – “The project really came in about $125-thousand less, under budget.”
The three phases, funded by the Urban Renewal Agency, will come in rapid succession. While work is going on this spring, the next two segments will be coming to bid as well.
Jacque Betz – “In the mean time we’re also engineering for the second phase so we’re going to carry over this money we have into phases 2 and 3 until we know how much money we have left over to maybe doing underground utilities, doing some street-scaping.”
Phase one will extend a new water line south on Quince Street from Highway 126 to Harbor. The next phase will replace water lines along Second Street to Maple. Then Phase Three will complete the project along Bay Street.
Beach Rules could restrict several activities
New rules under consideration by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department would ban glass containers on the beach, prohibit feeding wildlife, and prohibit drivers from “harming the beach environment”. The agency has held a series of hearings in Oregon about the rule changes, the first in more than 20-years.
Those who share bits of their sandwiches with seagulls would be rule-breakers under the new regulations, as would be people who take home more than a handful of agates or other non-living items for souvenirs. Violators could face a fine of up to $720 if the rules are ultimately approved by the commission that oversees the department.
The final hearing was held earlier this week in Cannon Beach. Comments can be made online at the agency’s website through Monday.
The proposed rules can be reviewed here.
Comments? Please send your comments regarding a specific rule to:
OPRD Rules Coordinator
725 Summer St NE, Ste C
Salem, OR 97301
vanessa.demoe@state.or.us
Volunteer Opportunities
If you have a little extra time on your hands and you’d like to share it, Karen Lyn would be more than happy to oblige. Lynn is the Executive Director of Florence Food Share, the local emergency food box pantry. She says they have lots of positions open for volunteers to fill, from greeters, administrative help, as a guide, and even in the garden. Food Share will be holding an open house next Thursday, February 9th, beginning at two pm to talk about volunteer opportunities and get to know the agency that provides food for as many as 600 households each month.
Taking a look at Coast Radio Sports…
The Siuslaw Vikings captured a Far West League Wrestling Dual last night, 36-24 over the South Umpqua Lancers. Danny Loza was the sole winner by pin last night, winning in the second round. Viking Grapplers will be on the mats tomorrow in Cottage Grove for a 41-team invitational.
Devoe Joseph scored 20 points and Oregon used a late run to beat Utah 79-68 last night in Salt Lake. The win moves the Ducks back into a three-way tie for second with California and Colorado in the conference. Colorado, by the way, remains unbeaten at home in their first Pac-12 season. They dumped Oregon State 82-60 last night in Boulder. It was the worst loss of the year for the Beavers, eclipsing a 15-point setback against Washington.
Oregon will be in Boulder tomorrow night at six against the Buffaloes… airtime on Coast Radio Sports will be at 5:30, immediately following Mapleton Sailor Basketball. Oregon State will be in Salt Lake at one… airtime for the Beavers and the Utes will be at 12:30 on KCFM.
On the prep schedule…. The Brookings-Harbor Bruins will be at Siuslaw tonight for Far West basketball… the girls at six, the boys right after. The pregame show on KCST is at 5:45. Reedsport will be at home this evening against Glide, and Mapleton will host Alsea. The Sailors will be back on the court tomorrow afternoon against Eddyville… the girls tip off at two, the boys right after. Coast Radio Sports will air both games.