A $247,000 contract to HR Green Incorporated of Johnston for design and phasing of stormwater improvements at a major intersection on the east side of Newton was unanimously approved by the Newton City Council at their meeting Monday night. 

The project involves the creation of a stormwater detention pond and other improvements around First Avenue East and East 12th Street North. The intersection was one of the hardest hit areas of flash flooding during heavy rains in Newton on May 21st of last year, with several vehicles caught in the intersection flooded. A stormwater study was done and the City of Newton is proceeding with making improvements, which City Administration Matt Muckler says will occur in two phases. 

“We need to design the entire project now. We have so much fiber and different utilities in the ground these days, if we don’t know initially where everything is, it’s going to cause a problem in that second phase and cost us even.”

The design and phasing contract with HR Green includes final design of the project, assisting with the bidding process, and project management.