News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Cookeville will apply for a new multi-modal grant to complete the next phase of the Spring Street Sidewalk project.
This section would include sidewalks from Carlen Drive to the Saxony Development. Phase one of the project has been completed while phase two is expected to bid this fall. Community Development Director Jon Ward said the project began with a T-DOT grant application in 2014.
“The city was awarded this grant in 2015,” Ward said. “Due to significant cost increases since grant approval, the city requested and T-DOT approved a revised scope to the 2014 grant to construct sidewalks to break the project into phases.”
Ward said at a work session earlier this week the city could walk away from the grants and do the sidewalks on its own. City Manager James Mills said it might be quicker and less expensive to do so, but the state would require Cookeville pay back all the original costs for design in the original grant.
If this next phase receives grant approval, the city still has work to do to finish sidewalks between Old Kentucky Road and the downtown area. The developer of the expanded Saxony project would be responsible for sidewalks in front of that complex. A final phase, Ward said, would be an expensive piece of the project.
“You can see there’s some pretty significant topography issues on this segment,” Ward said. “It will require retaining wall to be constructed. It’s a pretty expensive segment to complete. And this is the section looking for Morningside west that would connect to Saxony.”
Because of Cookeville’s growth, any new grant would require a 10 percent match, up from five percent. Ward said the maximum grant award has increased to $1.25 million. Cookeville City Council approved the grant application Thursday night.
In other business, the city will increase the in-lieu of payment for sidewalks. Developers can request this option instead of building sidewalks around many types of development. The increases are due to cost changes. New prices are set at $36 per linear feet for four foot sidewalks, $45 for five foot sidewalks, and $54 for six foot sidewalks.
Council approved the purchase of water meters and components to roll out the automatic meter reading system.
Council gave Mills the power to negotiate the final agreement for two parcels along Washington Avenue for rebuilding Fire Station Two.
“This station, like station three, is 50 years in age and it’s in dire need of replacement,” Mills said. “And we try to keep it in as close proximity as possible to our existing station because each station serves a designated area that helps maintain our fire insurance rating.”
