Gail Burkhardt • Staff Writer • gb273306@ohiou.edu
Athens city officials proposed pouring millions of dollars into different street improvement projects at yesterday's city council meeting.
Councilwoman Chris Knisely, D-at large, introduced ordinances to repair Jefferson Hill and Richland Avenue and Councilwoman Nancy Bain, D-3rd ward, proposed redesigning the sewer system on Mill Street.
The Jefferson Hill project will cost $290,000, with $225,000 funded from a state grant, according to the ordinance.
Beginning June 2010, workers will replace the sewer and repave the road with asphalt so that vehicles can travel on Jefferson Hill. Students can still use the hill's sidewalk during construction and the hill should be finished by the time fall quarter begins, said Mayor Paul Wiehl.
Richland Avenue Bridge will also receive improvements in the coming months.
The approximately $6 million project will begin in March 2010 and conclude by fall quarter move-in day 2010, Bain said.
More than $5 million for the maintenance of the bridge comes from the Small Cities Grant Fund, Knisely said.
Despite a lack of grant funding, City Council will vote to replace the Mill Street sewer because so many residents use it, Bain said.
That improvement will also begin in summer 2010.
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