MOUNT VERNON — City officials have prioritized a list of possible projects for 2009 and beyond, according to Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Mavis.
Mavis, Safety-Service Director Dave Glass, Engineer Cameron Keaton and Auditor Terry Scott created the list of projects, listing them as top priority and secondary for 2009, as well as short-range and long-range. Mavis said the group will meet weekly to review the ongoing projects and discuss plans for long-range projects.
“It’ll be an opportunity for us to keep the projects out front and know where they are. We have a busy 2009 planned,” Mavis said. “The economy will be a factor as we look at the money we have to spend.”
The top priority projects for ’09 include several that are already ongoing, as well as some new ones. The Plaza Building maintenance and Blackjack Road completion projects are two that began in ’08, while the Gay Street improvement, a connector road between Coshocton and Yauger roads, the old Connell’s building demolition and Vernonview Drive waterline are all projects that have been in the planning stage. Mavis said the projects have a variety of funding sources, some coming from city money, some from state or federal grants, and some from loans.
“These are things we believe can be done and should receive some priority for 2009,” Mavis said.
Also included on that list are asphalt resurfacing and brick street renovation, two projects that are completed every year.
The secondary list includes projects that Mavis would like to get done, but that may be pushed back to another time due to financial constraints or other factors.
A new restroom facility at Foundation Park, as well as work on the west entrance to the park, are on the secondary list. Also included is work on the Sychar Road area from a Community Development Block Grant that can be used for 18 months, the annexation and cleanup of the old American National Can property and the bowstring bridge rehabilitation and resetting.
The third category is short-range projects. These projects, which are expected to be worked on between 2010-12, include the widening and safety improvements of Coshocton Avenue, the wastewater treatment plant construction, and the rehabilitation of the Kokosing interceptor and Center Run trunklines.
The group even discussed projects they’d like to see completed in the long run. Those projects, which Mavis expects to be worked on between 2013-20, will include the South Sandusky Street improvement, improvements to the corridor between Ohio 229 and Coshocton Road, a maintenance facility for the street and utility departments, and a possible fire/EMS station on the east side of the city.
