By Aaron Vehling

The new senior housing project and Irving Addition were major topics of discussion Monday night at the Rush City council meeting.
The Council received bids for work on the new Irving Addition.

Of the seven bids received, Jensen Backhoe of Hinckley was the lowest. Jensenís total bid was $383,713.03. The next lowest was Visser Scraper Service at $400,216. Both are significantly lower than the $470,793 engineerís estimate. Visser is currently working on the new taxiway at the Rush City airport.

City Engineer Bob Moberg said Jensenís is a niche contractor and would be able to handle the required work.
ìExcavating is his specialty,î he said of the bid winner.

Also at the meeting the council held a public hearing about the new Irving Addition, though no one from the public attended.
City Administrator Daniel Hoffman said the goal in building the Irving Addition and senior housing project is to create a ìsort of senior campus,î which will include both senior apartments and townhomes for seniors. The campus will be located near Jay Avenue and 13th Avenue.

To pay for sewer, water and streets in the new complex, the city is using Tax Increment Financing (TIF. The council voted unanimously to establish TIF District Four and to approve the TIF plan.

Also at the meeting, the council voted unanimously to vacate Industrial Avenue, which several council members said was under used. The street is close to the proposed senior campus.

In addition, the council approved a $25,000 grant from the DNR for a fire hydrant well system. The grant covers 50 percent of the total cost and will include training classes.

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