Reconstruction of Washington Street from Rosser to Avenue C is nearing completion, leaving city commissioners to ponder how to best celebrate the project.

City engineer Mel Bullinger reported at Tuesday's city commission meeting that the project, as of last week, was about 80 percent done. Bullinger is also predicting that general contractor Northern Improvement will complete the project in advance of the completion date of Nov. 3.

"I was before you about a month ago with a report on the project, and quite a bit of progress has been made, but there is still some work to be done," Bullinger said.

"All the paving is done, they then focused on the sidewalks, which have all been removed and replaced. Last week, the street lights showed up and are now being erected with work to be done next week."

Remaining work includes street striping, and some landscaping of the monuments that will denote the historic Cathedral District. The monument bases have been poured and the fired tile inserts are on schedule.

As of Sept. 17, the contractor had been paid $1,656,105 of the total contract amount of $2,132,217.30. Work started on May 1 of this year.

Commissioner Connie Sprynczynatyk, who has spearheaded the project -which was stalled for an estimated five decades - said she believes the city needs to follow through and have some sort of special event for the opening of the four-block section. She tentatively called for the opening on Sunday, Oct. 28.

Sprynczynatyk, a running enthusiast, suggested a three-kilometer fun run/walk. She wondered whether the borders of the district will provide the necessary distance.

"We can certainly investigate the number of kilometers and come up with a boundary run, though there will be a lot of corners," Bullinger said.

In other activity, the Bismarck City Commission:

- Held a hearing and approved the 2008 city budget. No testimony was offered and there was no discussion among the commissioners about the budget, which was earlier debated at other meetings. The motion to approve by Tabor passed on a 3-to-2 vote as commissioners Dave Jensen and Steve Schwab voted against.

- Approved award of contract for the remodeling of the second floor of the Bismarck Police Department. Capital City Construction is the general contractor, Skeels Electric, will do the electrical work and Robert Gibb and Sons will do the mechanical work.

- Approved the issuance of a request for proposal for the Bismarck Municipal Airport fueling operation. Airport Director Greg Haug estimated it will take 90 days to advertise, and he expects proposals returned by late December, early January.

- Approved a long-term parking rate adjustment at the airport. Currently, $6 a day is charged, and that will increase to $7. A weekly rate will increase from $30 to $35.

- Approved some 300 surplus chairs at the Civic Center to be given to the Bismarck Park District.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@;bismarcktribune.com.)