BIDS OPENED ON JACKSON ROTARY LAKE RENOVATION PROJECT

JACKSON -- A Gordonville contractor submitted the low bid Tuesday for renovation of the Jackson Rotary Lake in the main city park.

The project is designed to revive the lake and improve fish habitat. The work will include removal of several feet of sediment on the lake bottom and installation of riprap along the banks to prevent soil erosion.

The low bid of $74,000 was submitted by Danny Guilder Contracting. Guilder's bid was one of three opened Tuesday by the Jackson Rotary Lake Improvement Committee. Other bids included: Girardeau Stevedores Inc. of Cape Girardeau, $111,600; and Tom Beussink Excavating Co. of Jackson, $129,712.

Lake committee chairman and Ward 2 Alderman David Reiminger said the bids were referred to the committee for study.

Reiminger said, "The lake committee will discuss the bids and report to the board of aldermen at their June 13 study session. The board members will discuss the bids and make a decision at their June 20 meeting."

Reiminger said the engineer's estimate was between $70,000 and $75,000.

"The actual cost won't be determined until all sediment is removed," he said. "The contractor is paid by the cubic yard of sediment that's removed from the lake bottom. The consulting engineer estimated approximately 14,000 cubic yards of sediment will have to be removed to get down to the watertight clay base in the lake bed, but it could be more or it could be less.

"After the lake bottom work is completed, the contractor will put 850 tons of rock riprap around the lake bank to prevent soil from washing into the lake. Additional fish habitat structures will also be placed on the lake bottom while the lake is drained."

Reiminger said the work could begin this month or next. The work is expected to take about one to two weeks to complete. The lake was drained last month in preparation for the work.

While the lake renovation is under way, work will also begin on construction of a wooden T dock and access ramp from the parking lot to make the lake accessible to the handicapped.

At the same time the city will renovate the asphalt walking trail around the lake.

The project is funded in part by a Missouri Department of Conservation community assistance grant of $36,000 and local matching funds and in-kind services provided by the city.

After all of the work is completed this summer, Reiminger said the lake will be allowed to refill in the fall.

"Depending on when the lake is filled, it will be restocked late this fall or next spring with fingerling fish from the state fish hatchery. The lake will remain closed to all fishing for at least two to three years to allow the fish to grow to maturity.

"During this period we ask that the public not put any large fish into the lake since it will upset the natural balance of nature in the lake."