Preparations Underway for October 1 Groundbreaking
of Spillway Improvement Project
The City of Lake Quivira is moving forward with plans to replace the north spillway (area north of the bridge on the west end of the dam). The second quarter edition of the City newsletter (distributed via black box at end of June) provided some background about this significant project.
Here’s a quick summary of developments since then and what to expect in the months ahead:
- Schedule – Construction is estimated to begin as early as October 1 and continue through the end of the year. Stone and landscape work will be performed from January through April 2024.
- Final Plans and Bids – The Council approved final engineering plans on July 10 and submitted them to the State of Kansas. Five contractors submitted bids to the City. We’re pleased to announce the contract has been awarded to Pyramid Contractors, a well-known and respected general contractor in the area.
- Utility Relocation – The City is currently working with Evergy to relocate the pole at the northwest corner of the dam. Plans include moving that pole outside the gate, adding a few additional poles on the west side of Renner, and extending the line back across to the east side of Renner towards the end of the spillway. This will allow the contractors to work uninhibited by the lines and also provide a better visual aesthetic as you come across the dam.
- South Spillway Cleanup - We are narrowing in on a plan to improve the aesthetics of the southside spillway wall. We will weigh the expense and options of repair versus replacement.
- Lowering the Lake – The City has coordinated with Q Inc. on the timing to lower the lake to prepare for the start of construction on October 1. Q Inc. Maintenance will begin lowering the lake on or about September 25.
- Project Financing – The City will pay for the project with a bridge financing plan featuring temporary notes of approximately $2.3 million. We will fund interest payments through our operating budgets until the note comes due in December 2025. At that time, we will issue a tax-exempt municipal bond for both the spillway and the land purchase.
- Traffic Impact – We plan on minimizing any traffic disruptions by having contractors access the project site via Renner Road. Of course, we know there will be some work in areas inside our gates. We will work with our contractors to ensure this is kept to a minimum. The electricity relocation could require closure of the north entrance to Terrace Trail West for a short time period. We will keep you informed as we get closer to October 1.
- Spillway Committee Members– Annie Noland, Win Zoellner, Pat McAnany, Dave McCullagh, and Brent Johnson (Olsson Engineering)
Please feel free to contact Spillway Committee members if you have questions or comments. The Second Quarter newsletter and the Engineering Plan are posted on the City’s website.
