Council Amends Budget to Allow Dixie, Jere Whitson Paving

Cookeville City Council approved the first reading of an amendment allowing more paving in the area of North Dixie Avenue and Jere Whitson Road.

City manager Mike Davidson said the city has already completed approximately $625,000 worth of paving.

“”Essentially most of that was done north of 12th Street and we want to try to get Dixie Avenue from 12th to Jere Whitson and get Jere Whitson paved as well,” Davidson said. “We’re going to try and get those streets paved so we’re going to ask council to approve that budget amendment to cover that additional paving expense.”

Davidson said the amendment would add up to $250,000 in additional funding for the proposed paving projects. The paving could take place while Jere Whitson Elementary School is out on fall break.

“Those streets would be paved the first two weeks of October is the plan,” Davidson said. “We’ve got the paving company scheduled for those two weeks that way it’s around fall break for the school system and Jere Whitson [Elementary] School would hopefully not be impacted by the paving of Jere Whitson Road.”

Mayor Ricky Shelton said during Thursday’s council meeting a repave of Jere Whitson was highly requested by the citizens of Cookeville.

“We had a lot of comments about the paving of that area. It was delayed for a good deal of time because of the sewer work that went on there for a long, long time,” Shelton said. “We’re very glad this area can get paved and I know the folks of Jere Whitson School will especially be glad.”

Council will need to approve the second reading of the budget amendment during their next meeting Thursday, Sept. 20 at 5:30 p.m.