Beatrice City officials look back at 2023
Several projects were completed or progressed toward completion
By News Channel Nebraska
BEATRICE – The past year was a productive one for the City of Beatrice, when it comes to projects completed or underway. During a short review of the year by the Mayor and City Council, items mentioned included Hannibal Park improvements, the trailhead park on South Sixth, and demolition of one of the buildings at the vacant Dempster property.
The development of pickleball courts and a revived waterfall at Chautauqua Park were also on the list.
City Administrator Tobias Tempelmeyer says one project where some movement was seen is a proposed trail connection between Riverside Park and the Homestead National Historical Park west of Beatrice. A bid letting is scheduled for 2026, with construction starting the following year.
Other items from 2023…..allowing UTVs on city streets and instituting two-way traffic on the formerly one-way 8th Street. A trail connection was completed near Beatrice High School…an owner-occupied housing rehab project helped homeowners improve their properties…and the city installed a backup 9-1-1 center at the new fire headquarters.
The city reached a funding agreement with the Beatrice Public Schools for design of 33rd and Lincoln…with bidding to start in the coming weeks. A fiber-optic project got underway throughout Beatrice….a Court Street corridor master plan was approved….and various partnerships and grants for downtown redevelopment were undertaken…including establishment of a creative district.