The Albert Lea City Council unanimously ordered the preparation of plans for three street projects Monday night.

Approval was made for the reconstruction of Lake Chapeau Drive and Edgewater Drive, along with a neighborhood improvement project in the southern part of the city.

The reconstruction of Lake Chapeau Drive is from Freeborn County Road 46 to just past City Arena.

At a public forum held before the vote, Lake Chapeau Drive resident Leo Skorin said there’s been an uptick in traffic on Lake Chapeau Drive and suggested making the road safer by possibly widening it.

The project is expected to cost $405,855 and is expected to be paid for with assessments and city funds.

Reconstruction is expected to be completed by mid-August.

The neighborhood improvement project involves placing two inches of pavement on the following streets:

James Avenue from Second Street to Frank Avenue

Third Street from Newton Avenue to Frank Hall Drive

Newton Avenue from Fourth Street to Seventh Street

Sixth Street from James Avenue to Frank Hall Drive

Second Street from Broadway Avenue to Frank Hall Drive

Fourth Street from Frank Avenue to Frank Hall Drive

Frank Hall Drive from Fifth Street to Seventh Street

St. John Avenue from Fourth Street to Seventh Street

Curb and gutter and sidewalk replacement is also planned, where needed.

Curb and gutter replacement is planned for Third Street, Fourth Street, Sixth Street and St. John Avenue.

Construction is expected to begin in mid-May and be finished by mid-August.

Gary Warner, who lives on Newton Avenue, said in the public forum that he is concerned over flooding in his area, and expressed frustration over the state of Virginia Place and Fifth Street.

“It’s totally unacceptable what you’re doing down there,” Warner said.

Warner stressed that infrastructure needs to be in place before the city conducts mill and overlay projects, and disapproved of the city starting the Virginia Place project late last year.

Albert Lea City Engineer Steven Jahnke said the city is looking at reducing flooding in the area by retaining water, and said replacing the Virginia Place lift station would cost millions of dollars.

Third Ward Councilor George Marin said the city should consider requesting state dollars for replacing the lift bridge.

The project is expected to cost $1.32 million.

Edgewater Park reconstruction involves the complete reconstruction of Edgewater Drive from Lakeview Boulevard through Edgewater Park.

Albert Lea resident Gary Hagen said the entrance to Edgewater Park is narrow and dangerous and asked how that could be improved.

Jahnke replied that the entrance is made safer by people deciding to travel slower on it.

The project is expected to cost $519,689.

In other action:

Rotary Club President Sheila Schulz announced the club has raised $25,000 for a dog park. She thanked dog park supporters Monday night at the public forum.

Schulz expressed support for the Brookside location for the dog park. She said the location meets all criteria for an ideal dog park, including it being a high-use area, being centrally located, having ample parking, having a water source nearby and being located off of Interstate 90 and Richway Drive.

The council approved a $40,000 grant for the Freeborn County Fire Association to study fire delivery services in Freeborn County and make recommendations to improve the delivery of the services.