The construction of the new City Hall and parking structure should be a bit more noticeable to folks downtown beginning this week. 

Mike Cronquist, the city’s owners representative for the project, said a large crane will be on site and the public will begin to feel some vibrations in the ground adjacent to the work area.

“As the construction efforts for the new City Hall and parking structure begin to ramp up, there will a steady increase in the amount of equipment and activity on the site,” he said. “Vibrations will be caused by the installation of sheet piling along the west edge of the alley next to the former City Hall location.”

Cronquist describes the sheet piling as “metal roofing on steroids.” Long corrugated sheets of steel, shaped similar to metal roofing, will be stood on edge and vibrated into the ground. Each sheet interlocks with the previous to form a temporary retaining wall around the deeper excavations.

“While there will be a noticeable increase in noise, it is not expected to be more excessive than that of any other earth work operation,” Cronquist said. “Vibrations will also be noticeable, but should be no more than that caused by rollers used for road compaction during the Central Avenue reconstruction.”

Alley access from Second Street to around 100 feet to the north will be restricted and closed at times due to the proximity of heavy equipment. The alley will also be narrowed to 16 feet on a semi-permanent basis for much of the construction process.

“Every effort will be made to minimize the inconvenience to businesses and to facilitate deliveries during this period,” Cronquist said.

For questions contact Cronquist at 862-3377.