The Highway 25 reconstruction project in downtown Mayer included the addition of curb and gutter, and an adjustment to the corner of the road in front of Finn’s Place (on left) at the intersection with Fifth Street North. These changes resulted in the loss of the parking area in front of the business, but Finn’s Place owners Jim and Diane Buranen made the best of the situation by adding an enclosed patio in front of the building.

The project included the reconstruction of Highway 25 from the former Dakota Rail corridor near First Street to north of Fifth Street.

Pavement was removed and replaced, and new concrete curb and gutter was installed.

Concrete sidewalks along Highway 25 were also added or rebuilt from First Street to Fifth Street. Prior to the project, the sidewalk on the west side of the highway ran from First Street to Fourth Street, and the sidewalk on the east side of the highway ran from First Street to Third Street. In some areas, the sidewalks were widened from six feet to eight feet.

Another component of the project was improvement of the storm sewer. The existing storm sewer system was not able to adequately drain the project area. The new curb and gutter will help to channel the runoff of storm water, and a new storm sewer system with catch basins at each intersection was installed to collect and remove runoff.

The project also included removal and replacement of the water main. A new 12-inch water main was installed from Shimmcor Street to Fifth Street. Existing hydrants in the project area were also removed and replaced.

The city added 35 new light poles and street lights during the project. Most of theses were along Highway 25, but some were placed along the trail that connects the new sidewalks to the Hidden Creek development, giving those residents pedestrian access to downtown businesses.

City Administrator Luayn Murphy said the city plans to apply for a Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) small cities grant that could be used to improve downtown businesses.