Athens City Council discussed possible ways to spend more than $90,000 in grant money at Monday's council meeting.
Most of the $91,000 Community Development Block Grant from the Ohio Department of Development will be used to widen Herrold Avenue off West Union Street. The grant is non-competitive, meaning any applicant can get it, and it must be used in a low-to-moderate income area, Mayor Paul Wiehl said.
A recent traffic study shows the road sees about 1,000 vehicles per day, said Paula Moseley, Athens City service-safety director. Much of that traffic comes from the Appalachian Community Visiting Nurse Association, which travels all over the county, Wiehl added.
The grant would also be used to widen the sidewalks and possibly remove a pole that juts out into the road, to avoid accidents.
I cannot believe that (the pole) is not hit on a regular basis
said Bill Bias, city council president.
Some of the money also could be used to demolish homes deemed unsafe or found to be in violation of city code, Wiehl added.
The cost of demolition varies depending on the factors such as location and lot size, Steve Pierson, director of code enforcement. Sometimes land around the demolished house becomes more valuable after a house is demolished, as was the case with a house demolished on West Hills Drive.
Demolition is not regular but unusual Pierson said. He recalled 10 houses being demolished in the 14 years he has worked for the city. Pierson hopes that houses can be rehabilitated, but if not the city can demolish them.
Nancy Bain, D-3rd ward, expressed concern over a lack of a plan to get started on repairing and replacing many of the city's older water and sewer lines. She hoped to get a five-year plan in place by Halloween.
While money obviously is an issue, the city had never taken the time to draw up an extensive plan for repairing the lines, Bain said.
We can do better
she said.
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