New grant requirements could mean no sidewalks
With the state making changes in grant requirements, McMinnville might not see too many new sidewalks despite the $125,000 grant and $31,000 match.
The city applied for the grant in November 2006. At that time, it was expected the grant would be used to add 7,835 linear feet of sidewalks in McMinnville. At that time, streets included in the plans were Clark Blvd., Garfield, Towles Ave., Lind Street, High Street, Walling and Colville.
After the application and after the awarding of the grant in September 2007, the state made a few changes. It now requires grant recipients to hire an engineer and have an inspector, and because the city did not start the project before the new regulations were established, the city must now adhere to the new rules. It is estimated the cost of complying with the new requirements will take up a large chunk of the grant money, which will leave very little for sidewalks.
‘The feds have come down on the state and the state is making rules that are pretty hard to go by,’ said Public Works director Bill Brock. ‘It is difficult to administer grants from DOT anymore. It’s so nitpicky it’s unbelievable.’
McMinnville officials have decided to move forward with the project and focus on specific areas like the McMinnville Civic Center, as well as areas around West Elementary School and Bobby Ray Memorial Elementary School.
In these areas, children are expected to be walking back and forth to school.
‘Those kids walk to school,’ said Alderman Jimmy Haley. ‘They come down the hill (beside Bobby Ray) and a lot of them have to get in the road. It’s horrible.’
As far as other areas within the city the grant will not reach, there is still the city program for sidewalk installation. The city offers a program designed for anyone who would like a sidewalk in front of their home. If the property owner buys the concrete, city workers will provide the labor for free.
For more information about the city’s sidewalk program contact Public Works at 473-1219.