STARKVILLE — The city is finally moving forward with the Main Street water and sewer improvements project.
Aldermen approved a bid of almost $2.5 million for the project from DNA Underground, a Gulfport-based excavating contractor company, during their meeting last week. It was much more in line with project estimates compared to the first round of bidding, when the low bid came in at a budget-busting $4.8 million.
When the contract is executed, DNA Underground will be responsible for installing new water mains and replacing undersized 4-, 6-, and 10-inch water lines with 12-inch lines down Main Street, from City Hall to Jackson Street; and Lampkin Street from Washington Street to the railroad tracks near Montgomery Street.
Edward Kemp, general manager for Starkville Utilities Department, said these upgrades are necessary to help with current problems, such as occasional brown water and other complaints from customers, along with future growth.
“We have some very old aging lines in the downtown core area,” Kemp said. “This project will replace those lines with larger lines that will not only meet the current demand, but will also position us well in the future for any future demand as well.”
The city plans to use American Rescue Plan Act funds — half each from the city’s allotment and a state match — to cover the costs. An exact timeline for the project will be determined at a pre-construction conference later this month, but DNA Underground is required to complete the project within nine months according to the contract. Kemp anticipates the upgrades will be completed faster.
“I think the contractor will be very motivated to move in and complete the project as quickly as possible, because the shorter that they do that, the less … they have to manage the traffic and things of that nature that will cost them more if the project is prolonged or delayed,” Kemp said.
Aldermen rejected the bids opened in the first round in December, sending SUD to better define the scope of work in hopes of getting better bids in a second round. Kemp said Tuesday the new proposal did not sacrifice the project’s quality or scope.
“We spent a lot of time talking to the contractors who submitted a bid last time, and one of the main messages that came back was that there was a lot of unknown risk that they were having to absorb…” Kemp said. “We got with our engineers and went back in to provide more detailed plans … which allowed the contractors to take out some of that risk in their bid, to have a higher level of comfort.”
The price of the project was also lowered by changing some construction methods and materials, Kemp said. This includes the material used to backfill the trenches that will have to be dug to access the current water lines.
“Once again, not sacrificing quality … but using some material that is more affordable,” Kemp said.
In February 2022, aldermen approved a $10 million Main Street redesign project that will eliminate turn lanes and expand sidewalks on Main Street. The water and sewer infrastructure upgrade is a “foundation” for the larger Main Street redesign project, Kemp said.
Jeremy Murdock, chairman of the board of the Main Street Association, commented on the effects of the water and sewer project on local businesses during construction.
“Yes there’s going to be a disruption, and I understand the concerns of our businesses, but these are kind of growing pains and this is part of it. We’re dealing with aging infrastructure, and the city is trying to get us modernized and up to speed,” Murdock said. “In the end, it will be worth it, and we’ve asked customers to keep supporting … our local businesses.”
Patience McRee, owner of Magnolia Soap and Bath Co., said she wants to maintain a “balanced” perspective on the project.
“It’s for a purpose. I have seen and spoken with many other business owners that are concerned about the effects it may have on their businesses,” McRee said. “… Starkville is trying to come up with ways to keep us small business owners up and going.”
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