The Newman City Council approved a bid from a Merced-based contractor and authorized City Manager Michael Holland to finalize agreement for the Veterans Circle Improvement project last Tuesday, officially commencing the first steps of the ventures operations.

Focused on honoring veterans across the West Side, the project, located near the city’s downtown plaza, will include a monument wall, concrete sidewalks, curb cut ramp, flag poles for each branch of service and solar lighted bollards. Additionally, there will be a 26-foot tree, according to Public Works Director Thomas Spankowski.

The approved bid was $554,963 from Taylor Backhoe Service, Inc. It will be funded through the city’s community benefit fund, according to the agenda report. Additionally, the city could spend up to 20% more on construction if there’s unforeseen circumstances, though Spankowski said he doesn’t expect to go over the proposed amount.

City staff received seven bids total for the project, with the highest being $768,507 from Gilroy-based Perma-Green Hydroseeding, Inc.

There is no start and completion date of the project at this time. City staff could meet with Taylor Backhoe Service representatives this week, Spankowski said.

“We’re gonna be setting up the meeting with the contractors hopefully this week,” he said. “The goal is to start the project as soon as possible.”