Sommers recommended for Shawano sidewalk work

The Shawano Field Committee is recommending to the Shawano Common Council on Feb. 29 that Sommers Construction Company handle the replacement of crumbling sidewalks in 2024.

Sommers, a company based in Shiocton, had the lowest bid out of five companies, asking for $30,600 to do the work the city requested. The highest bid came from Highway Landscapers Inc., a company in Little Chute, for $57,675.

“We go around the city, trying to get the worst of the worst, where the sidewalk has sunk down,” said Scott Kroening, public works director. “We try to concentrate and focus a lot on Main Street and Green Bay Street, but we’ll also try to get some of the side streets.”

Shawano has about 41 miles of sidewalks within the city limits that it cares for, but only a small portion of sidewalks can be replaced each year. Kroening noted that all city sidewalks are inspected annually to see which ones need immediate replacement. The city takes on all the cost of replacing failed pieces of sidewalk, with no expense to property owners.

The city approved $25,000 in its capital improvements budget to replace sidewalk, which is lower than Sommers’ bid. Kroening said he spoke with representatives from Sommers, and they agreed to work on the sidewalks for the budgeted amount, although that would mean less work than anticipated.

“They have done work here in the past,” Kroening said. “They’ve done a lot of curb and gutter. They’re usually here yearly all the time.”

The bid will still need a recommendation from the Shawano Finance Committee, but it is likely the matter will be finalized at the council’s meeting on March 13.

lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com