The utilities lining both sides of Vance Street toward Beaman Street will continue to be above ground following the official decision to hold off on the third phase of a city downtown revitalization project. The proposed project, to include other improvements in landscaping and the addition of a park, will be re-evaluated at the beginning of next year.
City manager John Connet stressed the project was merely on standby, with every intention of making it a reality — just not now. Economic constraints have made moving forward with the entire project too costly for the time being, he said.
Working off a recommendation by Connet, the city will be attempting to eliminate the erosion problem at the former jail site off of Vance Street in the near future, in preparation for other segments of the revitalization down the road.
“The Council has given us direction to do something to improve the park area,” said Connet, referencing the ultimate goal for the space. “That’s just going to be a temporary stabilization. We’ll have to re-bid (Phase III).”
The project, while on the backburner, is still in the Council’s sights.
“It’s still a priority,” the city manager remarked.
In early July, Connet updated City Council members on the status of the project, saying there were several factors that could affect the project’s status and the economy was one that loomed large. Other factors affecting the project were the erosion problem, misinterpreted plans and specifications by contractors and an uncertain effect on the current fiscal year’s budget.
Connet stated at the time that it might be necessary to delay the project another year and hope the local, state and national economy stabilizes or “substantially reduce” the scope of the project and re-bid it.
The project was first proposed via conceptual drawings in February 2008, the third phase of an ongoing city revamp mushrooming out from the downtown square into the surrounding area. The third segment was said to include revitalization of sections of Vance Street (from Sampson to Beaman); East Main Street (from College to Connesstee); and College Street, as well as all of Connesstee.
Additionally, the proposed project would include redeveloping the former jail site off Vance Street as a 24-space parking lot beside a park consisting largely of greenspace and landscaping, with public art displays a possibility. Overhead utility lines would be placed underground, sidewalks replaced, streets resurfaced and other landscaping installed, according to the Phase III proposal.
Street and sidewalk improvements, along with other costs associated with utility line relocation, construction, landscaping and related work brought the total cost of the project to around $1.43 million.
Connet said the city would be working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in gauging what work needs to be done to improve the jail site. There is no estimate on the cost of that initial project, independent of the proposed Phase III.
City officials have said the third phase would be funded through a combination of cash and USDA grant and loan money. Connet said a bid for the entire project, if accepted now, would bring debt service payments that required a tax increase for the 2010-11 budget and a possible dip into the city’s unreserved fund balance to end the current fiscal year.
City officials are hoping things will look better in four months.
“It’s definitely a priority,” said Connet, “but we’re going to wait until the first of the year and re-evaluate it.”
Chris Berendt can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 121, or by e-mail at sicrime@myclintonnc.com.
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