With the approval of a bid from Venture Corporation for $1,079,640.50 by the Great Bend City Council Monday night, two long-awaited street projects will move forward, maybe. 

These include the mill and overlay of approximately 13 blocks of Broadway Avenue between Polk and Morton streets, as well as the reconstruction of the intersection at 19th and Harrison. But, this marks the second time the council has had to act on the bid.

This project is partially funded by a Community Development Block Grant, which will reimburse the City 50% of eligible costs up to $600,000, City Administrator Kendal Francis said.

However, Venture was the sole bidder the first time. The Kansas Department of Commerce, which handles the CDBG program, declined to give the city a waiver allowing only one bid.

So, the city had to rebid the projects, and again, Venture was the lone bidder, sticking with its original bid. Francis said they have requested a waiver, but have yet to hear back from the state.

“We’re sort of on hold for now,” he said.

The engineer’s estimate for the project is $1,292,800, and the city will match 50%, which comes to $692,000. The city will draw on its quarter-cent sales tax dedicated to street maintenance to cover the cost.

However, city officials anticipate the actual amount of the city’s portion being less as city staff will handle construction inspections, said Francis.

The funding comes via a KDOC Small Cities Community Development Block Grant.

These are federal funds funneled through the State of Kansas. Great Plains Development of Dodge City will administer the grant for Great Bend.

The CDBG program administered by the Community Development Division in the KDOC provides federal funds to local governments for the development of viable communities by addressing their housing, public facilities and economic development needs.