(KNZA)--A contract has been awarded for a Hiawatha brick street rehabilitation project.

On the recommendation of the Kansas Department of Transportation, the Hiawatha City Commission Monday evening voted to authorize the awarding of the contract for the rehabilitation of Utah Street between 6th and 7th Streets to Amino Brothers Company, of Kansas City, Kansas, in the amount of $799,636.

The Commission also voted to commit $177,000 in matching funds for the project, which is to be submitted to KDOT by January 31, 2019.  

Funding through a KDOT grant awarded to the city last October will pay for 80 percent of the project cost.

Commissioner Toni Hull voiced concerns about awarding the bid to Amino Brothers, saying there were a lot of problems when they served as the contractor on the walking trail project.

But it was noted the city really didn’t have a choice but to go with KDOT’s recommendation.  City Administrator Mike Nichols said it could jeopardize future grants if the city didn’t do so.   

Nichols says the project could start as early as late January/early February but he doesn’t expect the company to start until March.

The project is scheduled for 60 working days.