Newton City Staff says the resurfacing and rehabilitation on parts of North 2nd Avenue East and East 2nd and 3rd Streets North have been completed, at a cost that exceeded the contracted amount by more than $21,000. During the City Council meeting on July 15th, 2024, Manatt’s Incorporated of Brooklyn was awarded the work for $831,116. City Administrator Matt Muckler says after change orders, the improvements between 1st Street North and East 4th Street North on North 2nd Avenue East, and between 1st Avenue East and North 2nd Avenue East on East 2nd and East 3rd Street North, the cost rose to $852,753. In addition to the resurfacing, the project involved reducing the width of the streets from 55 feet to their original width of 40 feet curb to curb. City staff say this allows for better street drainage and a grass area between the curb and sidewalk for snow storage and future improvements, such as pedestrian streetscape lighting. Newton’s Public Works Department says the most recent resurfacing of these streets was 36 to 38 years ago.