Sparta Paving Project Almost Complete With Plans To Add More

The city of Sparta’s paving project is close to being complete.

Public Works Director Dillard Quick said only about $100,000 of the nearly $500,000 paving project remains.

“We have either paved all or part of Oakwood, Churchill, Turntable, West Turntable, Hale, Ben Lowmand, and east and west Charlene,” Quick said. “That is about $371,000 total that we have spent on paving.”

City Administrator Brad Hennessee said the remaining money will be used to finish Churchill Drive and Turntable Road. Hennessee said once more sales tax revenue comes in, the city will add to the project.

“That is going to get us in that $475,000 range,” Hennessee said. “To complete what is not done, we hope our money rebuilds in time to do some paving and look for some streets that do not have infrastructure needs.”

Sparta is currently in the works of replacing water and sewer lines through a Community Development Block Grant. Hennessee asked the Board of Alderman to submit roads to be reviewed for infrastructure needs before adding to the paving project. Mayor Jeff Young said Howell Street is currently first on the list to be refurbished.

The paving project is being paid through sales tax alone. Sparta voters passed a referendum increasing the sales tax rate for 2.25 percent to 2.75 percent in September 2019.

Sparta Alderman Chad Griffin served in his last board meeting Thursday night. Griffin was first elected in 2012. He said working with the city was a great experience, but it was time to move on.

“It is mixed feelings,” Griffin said. “It has been a lot of work, and it will give me more free time. I have really enjoyed working with Mayor Jeff Young and the men and women of this board. I am really excited for our new city administrator Brad Hennessee, who has been here about a year.”

Griffin said he wants to focus on his medical practice and serving as the Chief Volunteer Officer with the Sparta YMCA board. Brent Young will take Griffins place on the board.