On Tuesday, May 5, 2018, I interviewed two members of a survey crew from Willett Hofmann & Associates, Inc. The local office is in Dixon, IL. The men were positioned at opposite ends of the 200 block of W. Main Street, Morrison, IL. Their task was preliminary survey work, driven by the firm’s “City of Morrison Main Street Water Main and Street Reconstruction.”
Three design and engineering firms had made proposals to the City, during a Special Council Meeting earlier in May. The Council approved awarding Willett Hofmann the contract on Monday, May 14.
City Administrator Barry Dykhuizen stated, “This is the first week of work being done” by Willett Hofmann.
Survey Crew Chief Matt Null, below, reported surveyors work in one- or two-man crews. All crews use Robotic Total Stations (mounted on a tripod in the background) to create a line of sight and gather data. The device “shows elevations and locations of what is already here.” Next, Willett Hofmann engineers will create an estimate of cost for the water main project.
Null said Willett Hofmann did the layout for the subdivision on Portland Avenue (IL Route 78) that became The Industrial Park. This, according to Jerry Lindsey of MADC, was in the late 1990’s.
On this day it was Null and Rey Muñoz. Muñoz said the Morrison survey began “a day or two before Memorial Day” and “should be completed today.”
Editor’s note: CA Barry Dykhuizen submitted this press release on Friday, June 8.
As part of the Engineering Services Agreement, between Willett Hofmann & Associates, Inc. and the City of Morrison, for the proposed Downtown Redevelopment Project, Willett Hofmann will be conducting a survey and inspection of each building within the Project limits, specifically, along Main Street from Orange to Clinton Street.
The purpose and intent of the survey and inspection is to:
- assess items such as accessibility issues, if any, at each building entrance
- collect information and measurements for connections of water service lines to each building (particularly those with basements)
- interview building owners and tenants for any knowledge of below-grade (buried) tanks
- view and assess the type and condition of below-grade building foundation walls
- verify connections of sump pumps and roof drain lines to the storm sewer system.
Collection of this information will necessitate entry into each building. The City of Morrison and Willett Hofmann request the assistance and collaboration of each building owner or occupant within the Project study area in completing this task.
The work is tentatively scheduled for the week starting Monday, June 25. It is anticipated the survey and inspections will be completed by Friday, July 13.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Brian Frickenstein directly at 815-716-8321, or by e-mail at bfrickenstein@willetthofmann.com. You can also contact City Administrator Barry Dykhuizen at 815-772-7657.