Transit Building A Work In Progress

Restoration work carries on at the new Kimball County Transit Service building – a $1.16 million project at Chestnut and 3rd streets hoped to give downtown a needed pick-me-up once it opens this spring.

Transit service administrator Christy Warner updated the county commissioners on the project at their Jan. 21 meeting.

There’s lots going on at the former auto dealership.

Warner said:

• Floor demolotion for plumbing and the loading dock is done. The floor has been removed where drainage lines will run. Wet dirt under the north side near the wash bay cracked and was replaced.

• The garage door on the south side will not be raised. Instead, the ramp will be removed and reinstalled at a lower angle to install a larger garage door.

• The decision was made to remove the second ceiling in the office due to water damage. The original upper ceiling is in good shape and will remain open.

• Door heights have been changed to 6-foot-8 to accommodate the short ceiling and original door openings.

• The last window on the south wall will not be put in.

• The front door will remain in the same location, but the walls will be made square to allow the training room to be larger.

• Electrical work is expected to begin in February. Details about phones, security and data were passed on the architect and electrician.

In other business, the commissioners voted, 3-0, to purchase a new 2020 John Deere 770G motor grader from Murphy Tractor in Gering. A $20,000 discount and a trade-in kept the cost under $200,000.

The commissioners next meet 9 a.m. Feb. 4.