by Mike Knaak
editor@thenewsleaders.com
Presented with three street improvements options with price tags ranging from $1.5 million to $2.8 million, St. Joseph City Council members chose the middle ground at the Jan. 16 meeting.
The proposed street improvement plan selected by the council comes with a $2.1 million price tag.
The next step in the approval process will be a public hearing at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 4 during the council’s meeting where there will be a discussion of the details and merits of each project.
After discussing the three options and the impact on city debt, Council Member Bob Loso moved to accept the option that listed six projects and the other council members all agreed.
The projects are:
• Fourth Avenue SE and Fourth Avenue NE.
• Birch Street W., Ash Street W., First Avenue NW., Birch Street W., and Second Avenue NW crosswalk.
• Pondview Ridge 1, 3 and 4.
• Jade Road.
• Old Hwy. 52 and Cypress Drive.
• Elm Street.
The total estimated cost of the proposed projects is $2,173,980.
If, after the public hearing, the City Council gives final approval, the projects will be announced for bids.

Re-elected St. Joseph City Council Member Anne Buckvold takes the oath of office at the council’s Jan. 16 meeting. Buckvold was absent when the other elected officials were sworn in on Jan. 7. At the Jan. 16 meeting, Buckvold was also chosen by the council to serve as acting mayor.