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  • Duck River project manager Steve Newton, right, talks to Tim Scott with Soil and Water Conservation Tuesday afternoon at a utility board meeting. Amanda Shavers-Davis

    Duck River project

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May 25, 2011

Bonds sold for Duck River project

$58 million will be available by June 3

By David Palmer The Cullman Times

Bonds totaling about $58 million were sold this week, clearing the way for bids to be let for Duck River dam construction in early fall.

The announcement of the bond sale was made during a Tuesday meeting of the Utilities Board of the City of Cullman.

“The bonds are sold. Everything went very well,” said Kendall Holman, executive vice president of Protective Securities. “The next step is to close on June 3 and you will have your money.”

Dale Greer, a city representative in the Duck River project, said the bonds will allow the crucial first phase of the project to move forward.

“I would look for the first bids to be ready by early fall. The most difficult land acquisitions should be finished soon,” Greer said.

Mandell Tillman, project acquisition manager, said appraisals on 26 parcels of land have been completed. He also expects monetary offers to be made on at least 10 parcels this week.

“We’re almost a third through. We’re moving rapidly,” Tillman said. “I also want to say that the reception has been good. I think everybody realizes the project is going to be done. Everyone has been very cordial.”

Tillman said the initial 26 parcels include areas where most of the owners’ land is required for the Duck River project. All together, the project will involve 83 parcels of land in the acquisition phase.

Many of the remaining parcels will require purchases of smaller areas of owners’ land. The purchase price of land for the Duck River project is expected to be $5 million to $6 million.

In related business, Duck River project manager Steve Newton said technical information provided by the Army Corps of Engineers has been reviewed and that the design is sound.

“One thing we need to do is protect the water quality during construction. It’s a big challenge,” Newton said.

He also said that he has reviewed a report showing a 60 percent reduction in phosphorus in the area.

“The farmers are doing a great job in doing what they should be doing,” Newton said.

An updated report on storm damage from utilities manager Mike Manning noted that Cullman Power Board lost 223 poles and 107 transformers during the April 27 outbreak.

Manning said damage is still being discovered, but estimated losses at this time total $2.5 million.

Nonetheless, Manning said area  banks agreed to lend the power board $2 million for six months with no interest or fees.



* David Palmer may be contacted at 256-734-2131, ext. 213, or by email at dpalmer@cullmantimes.com

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