MOUNT VERNON — Improvement plans within the city limits was the topic of a speech by Mayor Richard Mavis when he gave his “State of the City” address to those gathered Monday afternoon at The Dan Emmett Conference Center for this week’s Mount Vernon Kiwanis Club’s luncheon.
Introduced by Mount Vernon City Council President John Booth, Mavis outlined various projects for 2011, ’12, ’13 and beyond, stating he works closely with city council, which he says “calls the shots in a legislative government.”
First addressed was a proposed crossover city street which would run from Coshocton Avenue to Yauger Road on a path between Knox Community Hospital and Lowe’s. Such a project would route current traffic away from the KCH parking lot as well as lessen traffic at the intersection of Vernonview Drive and Yauger Road near Coshocton Avenue. While the project has been explored in the past, one question raised has been who would maintain a necessary retaining wall just east of Lowe’s? The city of Mount Vernon has now decided to construct and maintain the necessary wall. With a total estimated cost at $1.2 million,
“We do have the funds available to do this,” said Mavis, referring to the Tax Increment Funding which was created for the project.
Wiring for a traffic signal at Yauger Road would also need to be installed. Mavis is estimating for bids to be collected by March 1 with the project scheduled to be completed by Nov. 1. A name for the street is yet to be determined.
