Chris Wicker, who oversees grants and special projects for the city, showed council an example of what the transformation of those blocks will be like. The project will be funded mostly by the city’s $71,940 share of Golden Leaf funds, although initial projections show it will cost $73,700 for both blocks, which is why Wicker suggested that Public Works, which will lay the concrete and install the pavers, seek written quotes for materials.
The suggested design is to have sidewalks in that area with concrete in the middle and 2 feet brick pavers on each side. In that design would be 11 brick paver cross sections per side, Wicker explained. “If quotes exceed available resources the scope of the project may need to be adjusted,” he wrote in a memo to City Manager Paul Sabiston.
“We’re trying to spend money to improve the uptown and downtown areas,” Wicker said. “We’re using our labor to replace both sides and use underground wiring.”
Sabiston said one of the ideas in the pavers is to use bricks from the mills in the city which have been torn down. “The idea is to mix in some of the history with the pavers, to have a little bit of true history to spice things up.”
Wicker, responding to a question from Councilman Ernest Bobbitt, said the sidewalk project is not going to address the holly tree issue on Roanoke Avenue.
Sabiston reiterated, “This project is not going to change the tree scape at all.”
Wicker said the city will work with the Roanoke Avenue Business Alliance and the Beautification Committee on the tree issue. “This phase is tree neutral. I think (the sidewalk plan) will complement any plan that comes in the future.”
In other matters tonight council:
Learned from Assistant Public Works Director Danny Acree 98 nuisance letters and 35 followup letters have been sent to property owners during Opportunity Clean Sweep. The letters mainly deal with junk violations, he said. Twenty-five tons of debris were removed at a cost of $1,200 and 15 sheds have been demolished.
Were told final figures from the Old Crow Medicine Show concert last month have not been received.
Sabiston said attendance has been estimated at 750 to 800 people and 40 comp tickets were given.
The city received $2,000 as a rental fee is slated to receive $2 per ticket sold. The money the city receives goes to utility costs for the venue.
Were told by Human Resources Director Kathy Kearney a health insurance survey is being done to address any problems employees may be experiencing.
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