The Harvey Street Project is inching its way east.
Detours were in place from Central to Fourth Avenue beginning in June, but the work has now moved to between Fourth and Ninth Avenue East.
“We’re midway through the project,” said city clerk/ treasurer Harold Langowski, during a report at Tuesday’s city council meeting.
The $4.2 million project is being coordinated by St. Louis County, and will run from Central Avenue to Ninth Avenue East, although the city is also tying in with some work of its own.
Storm sewer work is continuing between Fourth and Ninth, and the road rebuild begins the week of Aug. 25, according to the current project timeline.
“There are some big milestones in the project yet to come,” said Langowski.
Concrete work will follow in September, with paving slated for the week of Sept. 25.
Project completion is tentatively set for Oct. 9.
Casper Construction was awarded the construction bid for the project last month.
Residents can keep track of the project via updates that can be found on the county’s website.
The city will also offer a link to those updates on its website at www.ely.mn.us.
The project has been in the works for years and design calls for two, 11-foot driving lanes with an eightfoot parking lane on each side, along with curb and gutter work.
It also includes sidewalk replacement on both the north and south sides of the street, except where there is no sidewalk currently, which is on the south side between Seventh and Ninth Avenue East.
The Harvey Street report was part of a brief council meeting on Tuesday.
In other business, the council:
• Approved a residential rehabilitation loan for Carol Orban.
• Heard from police chief Chad Houde that four people had applied for a police officer position.
• Directed the clerk’s office to come up with scenarios to cover the cost of a $37,000 deficit in the storefront loan fund.
• Tabled an invoice from the Ely-Winton Historical Society for its “Tour Ely” project until more information related to cost is provided.
• Hired Wayne Bach for a water/wastewater operator position, as recommended by an interview committee.
• Tabled a $2,500 budget request from the historic preservation commission until the city’s budget picture is more clear.
• Approved payment of $7,500 to the Ely Senior Center out of the 2025 budget.
• Authorized $15,830 for sound upgrades at the Miners Dry, via a quote from Custom Theaters.
• Approved a $9,502 estimate from H & S Electric for upgrades at the Captain’s Dry Building.
• Approved a temporary liquor license for the Ely Rotary Club for an Aug. 15 event at the Ely Area Community Hub.
• Approved liquor license renewals for 2025-26, pending payment of fees and completion of needed paperwork.
