MOUNT VERNON — The Phoenix bowstring bridge project in Foundation Park will move forward after Monday night’s Mount Vernon City Council 4-2 vote and $135,000 in donations.
Ariel Corp., The Ariel Foundation and The Community Foundation of Mount Vernon and Knox County each pledged $45,000 to the city to help defray the city’s cost of $180,000. The Ohio Department of Transportation will pay $440,000, leaving the city with $45,000.
According to Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Mavis, the city had appropriated $70,000 over two years for the engineering and design of the bridge, which will become part of the trail system at the park. Because of the donations, the city’s contribution is $25,000 less than appropriated.
Council members expressed gratitude for the three entities which stepped forward to make the project financially feasible.
“I certainly appreciate the changes that have taken place,” said Bruce Hawkins, finance committee chairman, “We received two donations from Ariel Corp. and Ariel Foundation for $45,000 each, and a gift of $45,000 from the Community Foundation of Mount Vernon and Knox County. When we made the appropriation for the engineering, it is now actually less because of the generous donations.”
