The Jefferson City Council recently awarded the contract for a downtown area project.

The Council awarded Pinnacle Construction from Glenwood $741,365 for the Community Development Block Grant downtown revitalization project. The City received a $1 million matching grant about one year ago from Iowa Economic Development Authority to remodel the exterior of several buildings in the downtown area. City Administrator Mike Palmer says the original contract had to be modified before the Council could award the contract.

“It was over budget with 16 buildings. Fortunately we had three of the 16 property owners agreed to withdraw their applications. Kudos to them, that had to be a big, big decision to do and that was Greene County Abstract, Printer’s Box and Homestead. That made the project fly for the other 13 (building owners).”

Palmer adds that the rest of the money for the $1 million project will be from architect and Region XII Council of Government’s fees, along with a 12.5-percent contingency set of funds.

The final step before construction can begin is to have the Council approve the final plans, bonds and contract at their next meeting.