September 21st, 2022 by WCBC Radio

City officials will learn later today if adequate funding has been budgeted for the Baltimore Street Access Project- or whether they will have to scramble to secure additional dollars. Contractor bids for the $10 million project to renovate the downtown mall will be opened this afternoon at City Hall. The renovations planned for the downtown mall include replacing underground utility lines and installing high-capacity broadband fiber before reinstalling Baltimore Street through the pedestrian mall and adding an updated streetscape with trees, flowers and shrubs. Serious discussions about the project began in 2014 however there have been a series of delays including the COVID-19 pandemic that has slowed the process considerably. The city has cobbled together a funding package of around $12.5 million. For comparison purposes, the Casper Taylor Bridge replacement project came in $700,000 than estimates.  Mayor Ray Morriss said today’s  bid opening will go a long way toward determining how the city proceeds moving forward…

Given inflation rates and chain supply problems, city engineer Bobby Smith said it is difficult to determine how those issues will impact the bids…

Once a bid is accepted, construction is expected to begin later this year or in the spring.