As of December 17, the earthwork needed for the Westgate Redevelopment is around 45 percent complete, according to City Administrator and Economic Developer Crystal Dunekacke. This includes grading the land as well as removing trees, though it was noted that the City hopes to leave as many trees standing as they can, removing only those that would otherwise conflict with the addition of roads and utilities. It was also stated that, while there has been some sanitary sewers installed, the bulk of the utilities are still to come. If all goes to plan, the water and sewer systems, electrical and other utilities will be installed through the winter and preparation for paving streets should begin in May.
“The coordination between the City and the various utility companies and engineers has been really good,” Dunekacke said, “we’ve had to examine the current state of the property and pinpoint all the different utilities that already existed throughout, but things seem to be going smoothly.” The project started at the beginning of November 2024, and the current timeline calls for an October of 2025 completion. A reassessed timeline will be created following January 1, 2025, as unanticipated setbacks may slow work, like the Long Ear Bat nesting season which needed to conclude in October before work could begin.
