The City of Newton is proceeding with plans to replace the Washbay at the Public Works Building. The City Council has ordered city staff to solicit bids for the project, with a bid opening date of December 12, 2024. Those bids are to be brought before the Newton City Council at their January 6, 2025 Council meeting. The engineer’s cost estimate for the 40’x60’x19’ stand-alone building is $750,838. Newton City Administrator Matt Muckler says a combination of General Fund Revenue and Road Use Tax money would be used to pay for the new Washbay. Newton Public Works staff says the current pole building with metal sheeting is rotting due to the constant exposure to water and road salt. Staff also notes this rotting has been accelerated due to the recent relocation of Park Department operations to the Public Works  site.