NORTH MANKATO — While Sherman Street in lower North Mankato was the site of major reconstruction this past summer, residents along Page Avenue will have their turn at construction disruptions next summer. In the end they will have new street surface, lighting, curb and gutter and underground utilities that are mostly about 50 years old.
Page Avenue goes east to west and runs alongside the south border of Wheeler Park. The five-block project will go from Lake Street to Range Street.
At a public hearing during the City Council meeting Monday night, there were a couple questions specific to individual properties but no opposition to the project. Later in the meeting the council approved moving ahead with the reconstruction.
The $3.3 million project includes about a half-million for sanitary sewer replacement, almost $600,000 for water main and lines, nearly $200,000 for storm sewer and around $2 million for street surface and lighting improvements.
The work is expected to begin in early May, weather permitting, and to be done in September. The project would be done in phases and the area at Wheeler Park would not be done during the annual Fun Days event.
Many large trees that line the boulevard and whose roots spread under the street will have to be removed. Preliminary estimates are that 47 trees will be removed while 33 will stay.
Properties along the project will pay 100% of the sanitary sewer cost. For the rest of the project’s costs property owners will be assessed for 40% of the cost, while the city will pay 60%.
The city says assessments will be about $7,000 up to $29,000 depending on property size and location and whether they will have new sewer and water services provided in the reconstruction.
The actual assessment notices will be mailed to property owners a couple of weeks before a March assessment public hearing.
Assessments will be added to property taxes beginning in 2026 and will be paid in equal amounts over approximately 15 years.
The assessments will be about 1% higher than they were for the Sherman Street reconstruction.
During construction, residents with driveways on Page will not have access to their driveway. Parking will be available on side streets.
Garbage service and mail delivery will continue as normal during the project.