August 22, 2023 – The Decatur City Council approved bids for roadwork on 16 city streets, the demolition of structures in the Old King’s Orchard neighborhood and several sewer system repairs at its August 21 meeting.
A set of bids totaling 2.4 million dollars were awarded to Dunn Company for the City’s 2023 Local Street Improvement Project, approved at last night’s meeting. The funds are sourced from state and local motor fuel taxes.
$1.325 million in state funding will impact Franklin Street, Airport Plaza Drive, Maryland Street, 27th Street, Boyd Road, Main Street, Fitzgerald Road, Airport Road, First Drive and Mound Road. The remaining $1.08 million from local taxes will improve Northland Drive, Garfield Avenue, Forest Avenue, Decatur Street, Faries Parkway and Main Street. Work is expected to be completed by May 2024.
In addition, Council approved the demolition of six structures on two adjoining blocks in the Old King’s Orchard neighborhood. The land, which is currently owned by the city, is planned to be donated to The Good Samaritan Inn for a new urban agriculture project. The future initiative is funded by a mix of state and federal grants, and Old King’s Orchard Community Center will assist in creating and maintaining the project.
Council also adopted a new policy allowing City funds to be allocated for emergency repairs of private sanitary sewer laterals. The City’s Neighborhood Revitalization Division currently maintains a system for emergency infrastructure repairs, funded by the Community Development Block Grant, which previously did not include costly sewer repairs. Now, the City will use a combination of CDBG funds and sewer-specific funds to provide up to $15,000 per sewer lateral repair.
In other business, Council also voted to expand the northeast quadrant’s fiber optic internet network north of Richland Community College toward Hospitality Lane, due to recent economic development in the area.
The full packet from last night’s meeting can be found HERE.
