Spencer, IA (KICD)– The initial steps to expand Spencer’s commercial offerings to the north edge of town look to be coming along following a discussion by the city council earlier this week.
Engineer Jim Thiesse says the biggest hang-up right now is getting all of the needed easements to make utility work and road construction in the area known as the North “Y” Gateway project move forward.
Being that the land itself has not been claimed by anyone specific at this point, Thiesse says the current plans include the main lines for infrastructure and the option to add additional hook-ups later.
Part of the plan does also have the addition of what will be known as 42nd Street coming off of Highway 71 which will give access to the development area no matter what the Iowa Department of Transportation decides to do at the intersection of Highways 71 and 18 but that is leading to some concern by Councilman Donovan Wunschel.
City Manager Dan Gifford added the current plans and timelines may appear to be directly benefitting Kwik Star, but the hope is to create an area that can grow Spencer for a long time to come.
As of Monday night, the plans and specs for the area were considered to be around 90 percent complete with Thiesse hoping to set an official bid letting date at next week’s council meeting.
