Looking Ahead in Wayne

November 22, 2023

City Council Meetings

Regular Wayne City Council meetings are at 5:30 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month in City Hall at 3rd and Pearl Streets. We would love to see you there; bells are optional!

Prairie Park Update

"When will Prairie Park be open?" is a question I have been getting lately. The answer ..... I don't know. Water will be in the lake in spring 2024 if all goes according to plan. Olsson, the engineering firm helping the City design and construct the park, gave an update at the last Council meeting. The digging of the lake, finding a well source, and grading the entire area all at the same time has been complicated to say the least. The lake is one of the first items that has to be finalized as the dirt from the physical hole will be spread over the north end of the park property (future ball fields). Besides grading happening right now, storm water tubes are being installed as well as water and sanitary sewer to future camper pads (17). In addition, concrete curbs are being installed in the parking lots. To cut costs, these parking areas will be rock/gravel to begin with (handicapped parking will be concrete).

The total project has been identified to take four phases. Phases 1 and 2 are being constructed now, with part of Phase 3 being designed now (some lake amenities). We knew this would be a long process. As funds become available (sales tax, grants, keno funds, etc.) the City will continue to design and construct additional parts. City staff is also being used to do some work to cut costs (i.e. electrical work including lighting, batting cages, garages for equipment). While we all want the entire project to be finished immediately, that's just not a reality. Please be patient with all involved as the area is transformed into a fantastic park facility. I just don't know when that will be completed.

Community Activity Center, Present and Future

The Mayor appointed a nine-person committee to start looking at the planning and feasibility of relocating the current CAC to a new location at 1100 E 10th Street (FNBO building). This committee will work with the City's architect (Carlson West Povondra) to help determine what the current space could be used for as well as additional space to the east of the existing structure. The hope is that a conceptual design along with a calculated estimate can be available to the City Council by the first part of March 2024. At that point with an accurate cost estimate the Council can start to fine tune the design and determine if it wants to continue the process of relocating the CAC. The City will be working with the Wayne Community Schools district to determine if both entities want to move forward with a formal purchase agreement on the current CAC. If you have any questions about the process or the potential project, please reach out to me at City Hall or contact your Council representative.

Have Vehicle, Will Travel

If you are a member of a civic group, coffee group or 1970s hair band and want to learn more about what the City of Wayne is currently doing or plan to do with future community projects, let me know and I will make time to come visit with you. Whiel I don't make house calls, I will also gladly meet with you at City Hall, on a Zoom call or the telephone. I want to make sure the public feels comfortable with the decisions the Council has made and will make in the future. While we don't have to agree with the decisions, we can discuss the process in a respectful, truthful way.

Questions, comments, concerns? Contact Wes Blecke, City Administrator at 375-1733 or by email.