MOUNT VERNON — As several projects wind down, another project is beginning in the city.
Surveyors have been working in the Sychar Road area, getting information ready for several projects that will be starting, thanks to a Community Development Block Grant.
According to City Safety-Service Director David Glass, several smaller projects will be completed in the area. A new parking lot will be created in the wooded area north of the pool, as well as sidewalk improvements on Pleasant Street, and Sychar and Wooster roads. There will also be bridge rehab work done on Catherine and Braddock streets.
“We got CDBG money and [the surveyors] are working on that,” Glass said. “We’d like to start in the fall with the sidewalks. We’ll also try to find a safe way to eliminate the confusion on the turn areas at Beech and Sychar. We’re looking at crossing lights and other ideas in the area by the pool.”
The pool will be hosting a Splash Bash on Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m. The event will include games and music from a disc jockey.
The city is finishing up some additional safety measures at Riverside Park. The crosswalk across West High Street was recently completed, with new ramps, paint and additional signs. The crosswalk was also moved to the west side of Fountain Street in an effort to make it safer. Glass said they have ordered flashing lights for the area, as well.
The city has also put up some additional street lights in Riverside Park. Those, along with keeping the lights on later at night, will light more of the park for longer periods of time.
The contracts are ready to be signed for the building of a new restroom/shelter facility in Foundation Park. The building will be similar to the one at Phillips Park and will be just past the first lake on the left as residents enter from Norton Street.
Glass reported that several projects in the city were in their final phase. Gay Street is expected to open both lanes to traffic in the next week or so after signs, lines and manhole covers are complete.
The former Connell’s Furniture building on South Sandusky Street is on the ground, and the contractor is working on removing recyclables and debris from the area before the land is converted into a temporary parking lot.
The roof has been replaced on the Plaza Building and work continues on the bottom two floors of the parking garage.
Glass also noted the brick street repair crews are starting to work on Sugar Street after recently completing work on North Mulberry Street. The crews will be leveling some of the worst areas of the bricks.
Glass also reported the city is now accepting payment for water bills online. Residents can go to the city’s Web site — www.mountvernonohio.org — and sign up to pay their bills.
