The Mandan Remediation Trust has determined that approximately seven wells are needed along the center of Main Street between First Avenue NW and Second Avenue NW to extract hydrocarbons beneath the street. To facilitate continued movement of traffic in both directions and minimize disruption to downtown Mandan, the wells will be drilled from the south side of Main at a slant.

Construction work is expected to begin August 3. The drilling will take approximately two weeks. Repairs to sidewalk panels and the boulevard are to be complete by the end of August.

The wells will add to the comprehensive system of approximately 300 wells and over 20 miles of pipelines installed in downtown Mandan to remedy an underground diesel fuel spill. The system was installed during three construction seasons, from 2005 through 2007, with costs paid for through a settlement fund from Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. The system began operating in phases in 2006. It has since removed and treated more than 1.6 million pounds of hydrocarbons including diesel fuel and methane.

The area under Main is beyond the typical radius of influence of neighboring remedial wells on the north and south sides of the street. To be sure in a few years that the remedial efforts can be deemed complete and meet North Dakota Department of Health standards, the Remediation Trust needs to monitor and remove any product beneath Main Street.

Removal of free phase product beneath downtown Mandan is expected to be complete in about two years with soil scrubbing to occur thereafter. The soil scrubbing process will involve pushing air into the soil to invigorate naturally occurring bacteria that eat away at any remaining contamination.

Meanwhile, redevelopment is occurring. CRT Investments, which includes Dakota Commercial and Development Company of Grand Forks, expects to break ground in August on a parcel acquired for the remediation. Plans are to construct a four-story building with commercial/retail space at street level and 30 one- and two-bedroom apartments on upper stories.

There will be a public information meeting regarding potential future use of the Community Center by the Mandan Public School District on August 19, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. Related topics include the Mandan Park District’s exploration of a possible recreation center. A quorum of the Board of Mandan Park District, Mandan City Commission and the Mandan School Board may be present for the meeting.

Location:  
Bosh Froehlich Room
City Hall
205 2nd Ave. NW
Mandan,  ND  58554

Commissioner Serhienko, Finance Director Welch, City Administrator Neubauer will be meeting on July 16, 2009, beginning at 7:30 a.m. to discuss 2010 budget requests.

Commissioner Gangl and Planning & Engineering Office will join the discussion at 9:00 — 10:30;

Commissioner Tibke and the Public Works department will join the discussion from 10:30 — noon;

Commissioner Jackson along with the Assessing and Building Inspection Office and Business Development Director will join the discussion at noon.

Location:
Bosh Froehlich Room
City Hall
205 2nd Ave. NW
Mandan,  ND  58554

Bismarck, North Dakota – In a time when 82 percent of parents believe children don’t spend enough time playing outside, 93 communities across the nation have taken innovative approaches to make play a priority for the health and well-being of their kids. Communities large and small, urban and rural, have created initiatives designed to increase the quantity and quality of play and playgrounds, while improving access to existing play opportunities.

To honor communities making this commitment to play, KaBOOM!, a national non-profit dedicated to bringing play back into children’s lives, named them Playful City USA communities. In the third year of this annual program, 93 communities created and implemented programs to positively impact childhood wellness, public safety and the quality of life.

Bismarck is one of those communities and has been designated a “Playful City USA.”
“This is a designation that once again sets us apart in providing play opportunities for all kids in Bismarck,” said Paul Quist, President of the Board of Park Commissioners.
Steve Neu, Director, Bismarck Parks and Recreation District (BPRD) said,  “Not only are there diverse recreational programs for kids throughout the park district, but access to parks, trails  and playgrounds for free and unstructured play is a standard we’ve set, and now, have been honored for it. “ 
The application for “Playful City USA” also had the support of the City of Bismarck. “We’ve always known Bismarck as a great place to live, work and play. This designation puts the stamp of approval on play, said Mayor John Warford.
Other “Playful City USA” communities across the country include Phoenix, AZ, Niagara Falls, NY and Missoula, MT.  Bismarck was the only city in North Dakota to receive the honor.
In celebration of being a “Playful City USA,” the City of Bismarck and Bismarck Parks and Recreation District is designating Wednesday, July 29th as an annual Play Day in Bismarck.
Two special events and a kick-off to a program have been scheduled for Play Day.
1. All BPRD Activity Centers, which is a daytime recreational program held at elementary schools, will participate in a Play-Off. The over 600 participants at the 14 Activity Center sites will be encouraged to wear red that day, and to all go outside and play  on the playground from 10-11 am. 
2. On the evening of July 29th, the entire community is invited to the Bismarck Community Bowl from 4-8 pm for a complete Play-For-All.  Families can walk (or skip?) around the track, play catch in the football field, draw a picture, kick a ball into a soccer goal or just enjoy unstructured play with the variety of toys and games that will be provided at no charge.  It’s an evening to simply, play. Families can bring a snack or picnic supper to enjoy at the Community Bowl during the Play-For-All, but please, leave pets at home.
3. Play Day will also kick-off a Playground Passport program. There are many new playgrounds throughout the community’s park system, and the Playground Passport allows families to explore the playgrounds on their own time, at their own pace, and asks questions about each playground. Answers are then recorded in each individual passport. The passports are then brought to the BPRD office by August 26 to be checked, and participants will receive a passport prize and a t-shirt.   
Play Day events are part of BPRD’s annual July Celebration, noting that July is National Parks and Recreation month.
KaBOOM! selected Bismarck as a “Playful City USA”  for its dedication to play. Twice a year, BPRD partners with local public and private schools, service groups, individuals and businesses to create new or improved playspaces through a Matching Grant program for public recreation projects. This program began in 1986 to encourage partnerships that would improve recreation facilities throughout Bismarck. Since 1986, more than 350 projects have been completed with total project costs of $2.8 million.

The KaBOOM! vision is a great place to play within walking distance of every child. Playful City USA communities create best practices, like the ones above, to reach a similar goal.

“Our country is facing two monumental deficits: a lack of unstructured play among children and a lack of resources to address this very issue,” said Darell Hammond, KaBOOM! CEO and Co-founder. “Bismarck took a stand and determined that the future of their community—their children—deserve a commitment to the cause of play. This is an investment in the future, not an expenditure and cities and towns across the country can replicate initiatives from these Playful City USA communities so that they too can bring play back into the lives of their children.”
For more information on Play Day or other July Celebration events, please go to www.bisparks.org, or call 222-6455.

The City of Bismarck Public Works Department will be conducting fire hydrant maintenance. Hydrant testing hours are from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.

July 20 – 24, 2009 –
Boulevard Avenue to Main Avenue and Bell Street to Ninth Street

August 3 – 7, 2009 -
Burlington Northern Railroad Tracks to Bismarck Expressway
and River Road to Ninth Street

August 10 – 14, 2009 -
Boulevard Avenue to East Bismarck Expressway and Ninth Street to 26th Street

August 17 – 21, 2009 -
Xavier Street to State Street and I-94 to Boulevard Avenue

Hydrant maintenance in these areas may result in rusty water. Click here for more information Rusty Water

Customers are advised not to wash clothing during this time until their water clears. One way to help clear the water is to run lawn sprinklers.

For more information please call 355-1700.