The next city street project, scheduled to begin in 2017, will be repairs and improvements for East Maple Street, ending at Steeby Elementary School.
Repaving and road improvements have just been completed on East Sycamore Street this year, as well as one block of Cherry Street and one block of Church Street near the new splash pad at the city park.
City Engineer Mickey Bittner of Wightman & Associates told the City Council Monday night, “We walked the project because of its proximity to Steeby School. We looked at the replacement of water mains and installing sidewalks.
“It (the project) will extend the life of the street. It’s at that point in its life cycle.”
Councilman Rick Mathis said he has been in favor of installing sidewalks there for a long time because of East Maple being close to Steeby, where children walk to school and he finds it unacceptable to have the kids walking on the street.
Bittner agreed, saying, “Kids walking in the street is not safe.”
But council members indicated school officials want the children to walk on sidewalks on East Superior instead.
Council directed City manager Tim McLean to meet with school officials to discuss the matter and then go ahead as quickly as possible in seeking bids for the project.
PHOTO: Mickey Bittner
