The city of Grove City is lining up projects for the next eight years.
At the Sept. 2 Grove City Council meeting, council unanimously approved a capital improvement program for the years 2008 through 2017. Council President Ted Berry said it is important to note that the projects are in concept only. They have not been funded.
The administration prepared a tentative capital improvement program, outlining the projects, estimates of cost and funding sources. Each project would be presented to city council for funding in future appropriation ordinances.
The improvements include areas of street lighting and traffic signals, storm sewer and grading projects, street projects, parks and land development, building and facility projects, sanitary sewer projects, and water distribution.
•The city has planned to spend approximately $664,000 in 2008 on street lighting and traffic signals. This project includes a lighting improvement job on Charles Drive Street.
It also sets aside funds for traffic signal improvements at Gantz Road and Ohio Drive and Buckeye Parkway and Holton Road. According to the capital improvements document, next year there will be funding for a traffic signal at Broadway and Parlin Drive and a street lighting project on Tangle Brook Street.
•For 2008, the city estimates that it will cost $275,000 for the design and construction of a retention basin and site grading on Demorest Road. The Front Street storm sewer project will cost $663,000. It is scheduled for 2015. The Gantz Park stream restoration project goes beyond 2017.
•The city plans to allocate a large portion of funds for street projects. This year, the city will spend $1.4 million on the Old Stringtown Road reconstruction project and $1.3 million on the State Route 665 and I-71 interchange modification improvements. The city has applied for state funding to offset the cost of some of the street projects.
In 2009, the city could set aside $3.1 million for the Haughn Road relocation undertaking and about $4 million for the reconstruction of White Road. The State Route 104 and Pinnacle Club intersection should receive some attention in 2010.
•Next year, the city plans to spend $1 million on park and land development projects. In 2010, projections come in at $725,000. Some of the projects include enhancements at Windsor Park and Fryer Park and trail acquisition.
"We have been working on this for well over a year," said City Administrator Sharon Reichard. "It is a guide to help us move forward on some major projects."
Reichard added, "The capital improvement program gives us the big picture of where we want to go."
In other news
•City council and administration gave their support to the Grove City YMCA and its efforts to get behind the America on the Move initiative.
This is a national effort to get people active and help them to lead a healthy lifestyle. America on the Move Week is Sept. 20-27. To get involved, log onto ymcacolumbus.org.
•Police Chief Joe Wise reported the Grove City Division of Police is trying to build a more "user-friendly" Web site.
On the site, residents would find a staff list and their contact numbers as well as crime alerts and crime prevention pamphlets. Wise said the department is working on uploading warrant information.
"We want to try to develop leads from our citizens," said Wise.
The Web site can be found on the city’s Web site, grovecityohio.gov or log onto police.grovecityohio.gov.
•There will be a Trail Committee meeting on Sept. 30 at 6 p.m. at City Hall. The committee will discuss parks-related projects and connecting Grove City bike trails. The public is invited.
