Stairs connect path to new bridge

New stairs will be installed on the new Second Street bridge to connect the bike and pedestrian path at Kay Beller Park to Miles Avenue.

Whitefish City Council on Feb. 3 approved spending $16,300 to install a grip strut metal staircase with hand rails. Tax Increment Finance funds will be used for the project.

The path currently dead-ends below the new bridge.

“Currently tourists get confused at Kay Beller Park as to where to go next on the pathway system,” Public Works Director John Wilson noted in his staff report.

The new stairs will create a safe route to City Beach from Kay Beller Park, Wilson said.

In other council news:

• Council unanimously approved a site plan amendment for a 4.88 acre property at Highway 40 near Dillon Road.

• Unanimously approved a preliminary plat for a four-lot minor subdivision at 467 and 469 Colorado Avenue.

• Awarded an $87,368 contract to LHC, Inc. for Phase I of the East Second Street reconstruction project. Work includes clearing brush and trees, excavation, installation of conduits and vaults for private utilities along the north side of East Second between Wild Rose Lane and Dodger Lane. Work is scheduled to begin March 3 and be completed by March 24.

• Unanimously approved a contract amendment with Crandall Arambula for additional work on the Downtown Master Plan update. The $30,120 amendment will be paid from the Tax Increment Fund, bringing the total contract cost to $106,954.