Parking lot reconstruction

The VCSU parking lots are in the midst of reconstruction.  Several lots were damaged during the floods.  Reconstruction should be complete by August 17.

Campus parking update

There will be no parking on College Street until Monday, June 8^th.  Crews need to clean the street prior to allowing parking.  In addition, crews may remove the top layer of the river levees by campus this week.  For safety purposes, we will continue no parking on College Street until the work is complete.  We apologize for the inconvenience, and we will keep everyone updated.

 

Levee removal update

Progress is being made removing the contingency levees around campus. Crews need space and time for a few more days. There will be no parking on College Street through June 2 to allow crews to finish.

The Foss and Science parking lots will remain closed until further notice. VCSU and other officials need to assess the lots and determine a course of action.

Levee removal

Crews will remove the clay levees on College St and around the campus this weekend. Please do not park on College St during this time. If you need to be on campus this weekend, please use alternative routes, parking areas, and caution.

Dike removal

Crews are removing the dikes around campus and town. Crews are starting on 4th Ave SW and working from the city park to Snoeyenbos. Trucks and other equipment will use 4th Ave and connecting roads. PLease give these vehicles space and use caution when traveling in these areas.

When crews start working on College Street, the campus will notify the campus community about traffic and parking changes.

Dike removal

Valley City is in the process of finalizing and bidding dike removal. The first step involved many processes, which caused some delays. It is hoped that the city will have a contractor next week, and can start removing the dikes as soon as possible. Residents should see dike removal start within 10 days, and the process will last no more than 28 days.

Sand bag removal and other clean-up processes have yet to be determined.

City services restored

Valley City Mayor Mary Lee Nielson says residents can once again take showers, wash cloths and use dishwashers. The waste water restriction was lifted on Thursday.
Nielson says residents should still conserve on their water usage as a precaution being the master lift station is a temporary fix.
The new one will be under construction this summer and will not be completed until late summer or early fall.
Nielson says contingency dikes will not be removed until federal stipulations concerning reimbursement of federal dollars involving the post flood cleanup are settled.

Source: newsdakota.com

Letter to parents

President Shirley has posted a letter to parents on the VCSU Flood page. This letter gives parents information and updates about the campus. Parents will receive this letter in the US mail. There are other communication pieces available on the flood page.

City traffic

Road conditions and traffic changes have created the need for lower speed limits in parts of town. In addition, traffic/street lights are back to normal function at many intersections. Please pay attention to traffic signage and lights.

No more port-a-potties

The portable toilets are leaving Valley City. Crews started removing the portable toilets yesterday, and will continue during the weekend. The minimal toilet use is working. Sheyenne River continues a slow decrease during the past few days, and may drop below 15 feet on Monday or Tuesday.

City resident gain minimal use of toilets

From Valley City Mayor Mary Lee Nielson -

Wednesday, April 29, 2009 With the river going below 17 feet and the additional capacity gained in the sanitary sewer system- in consultation with Jeff Differding and Wade Hesch, we are going to allow residents to use their toilets with minimal flushing. We will be monitoring the system for the next 2 days to see how it works. The port-a-potties will remain in place in case the system gets overloaded. Please follow the old adage- “If it’s yellow, let it mellow. If it’s brown, flush it down.” Our hope is that the above ground sanitary system we are relying on at this time will be able to handle the extra load. The collection of waste water for clothes washing, bathing and dish washing still needs to take place. We do not want to pour more waste water into the system other than the minimal flushing. As the river continues to go down there may be an opportunity to add these activities. The city will keep you posted. The citizens have done an excellent job in complying with the collection of waste water and use of port-a-potties. This is our next test- keep up the good work!

Campus access

Another road opened to campus this morning. The Mill Dam bridge on 3rd Ave SE opened. People can use that bridge and turn on to College Street or continue to 6th Street SE. I updated the Google map showing the routes to campus with green lines.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=115453440231524773900.000466103976c9aa377fc&ll=46.918878,-98.003197&spn=0.010582,0.019226&z=16

Please allow for extra travel time around campus, as the streets might be narrow, and traffic congested at times.

Campus to re-open 4/23

VCSU will re-open at 12:30 pm on Thursday, April 23. Faculty and staff can either use the shuttle service (meet at the Bubble) or drive their own vehicle.

City lifts voluntary evacuation

The Mayor lifted the voluntary evacuation order this morning. Residents are allowed to return to their homes. The city warns residents that the river is still at a dangerous level, and the sewer system is not functional. Workers did isolate some areas that allowed river water to collapse the sewer system. City officials will continue to monitor the progress, and still encourage people to use portable bathrooms.

Business closure order lifted

The city lifted the mandatory business closure order this morning. Businesses can reopen, but cannot use the sewer system.

VCSU will make an announcement later today.

City notes

The city will re-open the Rainbow Bridge soon. The bridge will re-open a critical East-West route for Valley City. Residents are still asked to stay out of the city. Extra traffic and sewer system will hamper relief efforts.

Classes resume

VCSU Spring semester resumes today online. Please check your campus email or the black board for more information.

City update

Valley City installed a temporary sewer pipe over the weekend. This sewer pipe does not support the city. Officials still ask people to conserve water, and not use drains (showers, toilets, sinks). There are hundreds of port-a-potties around town for residents to use.

This morning the city mandated that all non-essential businesses must remain closed for the week. The closure will help the sewer system and keep traffic to a minimum. Essential businesses are hospital, pharmacies, grocery stores, and gas stations.

Valley City flood photos

The city is promoting the website http://flood2009picturesbystacieleier.shutterfly.com/. Numerous flood photos from Valley City and the area are available there.

Valley City pictures

We've posted some pictures of Valley City and VCSU online at http://www.flickr.com/photos/vcsusafety

There is a video as well that shows what the campus looks like.