An Augusta company was awarded the contract for The Alley renovation project Monday night after a unanimous Aiken City Council vote.
The City issued a request for proposals in February to find a company that could not only determine the scope of the work to put power lines underground but also to improve sidewalks and make aesthetic improvements to the street that connects Laurens and Newberry streets.
A team comprising City staff and the Aiken Downtown Development Association recommended hiring Johnson, Lascober & Associations for approximately $45,500, the company's estimated fee.
Johnson, Lascober & Associations will determine the scope of the work that needs to be done and assist the City in selecting a firm to complete the final renovation project, according to interim City Manager Roger LeDuc.
The company will begin work on The Alley later this month, and City staff intend to bid the project out by the summer.
George Grinton, the director of the City's Engineering and Utilities Department, introduced the plans to Council last summer, after staff began investigating how to place The Alley's wiring underground and reduce drained water flow into Hitchcock Woods.
To do that work, the sidewalk and road would have to be cut up to trench power lines, cable and Internet service and telephone feeds.
Also last year, the City involved Cam Scott, of Cheatham Fletcher Scott Architects of Augusta, to draw conceptual designs that were shared with Council.
Those designs included large entry arches at either end of the road, additional lights, trees and the elimination of the curb and gutter.
Conceptual and utility improvements to The Alley come to an estimated $1.25 million.
That estimate would include SCE&G franchise funds, landscaping and stormwater funds from Capital Project Sales Tax round two and utility funds from Capital Project Sales Tax round three.
In other business, Council also unanimously authorized City staff to hire a company to provide subsurface soil services on the Gem Lakes extension roads to help better locate why those roads appear to be failing.
Maayan Schechter is the local government reporter with Aiken Standard. Follow her on Twitter @MaayanSchechter.