SHADYSIDE - The village of Shadyside is moving forward with a revitalization project that will see $1,352,500 work performed in the park area of Central Avenue known as the "loop."
Project architect Danny Popp was in attendance during Monday's village council meeting, waiting for direction from council members on whether to proceed with the project.
Recently, Popp was the key speaker during a meeting discussing the loop project and changes that were necessitated after it was determined the village, and not Comcast, American Electric Power and AT&T would be responsible for the relocation of utility lines from the middle of Central Avenue. The cost to move the lines include: $165,000 for AT&T; $375,000 for AEP and $83,000 for Comcast, along with an additional $25,000 to make sure those living on Central Avenue aren't responsible for paying to have their hookups moved to the rear of the property and reconnected.
''I want to make sure it's known that there will be no cost to residents or businesses to have their utilities reconnected,'' Councilman John Tipton said after approval.
Councilman Tim Merryman made a motion to move ahead with the project and council approved the motion 6-0.
Popp estimates construction will commence in April or May. Prior to the approval, Popp said the project, which has been delayed for various reasons, needed to be completed by November. If not, the village likely would lose the traffic enhancement grant, which comprises $1,082,000 of the total project cost. The grant is an 80-20 matching grant.
The village's portion is coming from the Swamberg Fund, a total of $325,000 that came from longtime resident and educator Pauline Swamberg, who passed away in 1998. Swamberg donated money to the village in her will to be used to better the community.
The grant covers Phase I of the project, primarily consisting of new curbs, sidewalks, lighting and moving the utilities. Because of the utility line movement costs, the project had to be split back into two phases, as originally intended. Popp said previously that ODOT suggested combining the project into one phase because officials believed the utility companies would be responsible for the line relocations. A contingency fund may leave the project with an excess of $100,000 to go toward something dedicated specifically to Swamberg.
Various council members felt it would be a good idea to select more than one avenue for honoring Swamberg. A shelter was an original part of the plan and is still in the works. However, ideas ranging from renaming the loop fest after Swamberg, to installing a small park or fountain down by the walking trail and other locations were discussed.
Merryman presented Mayor Bob Newhart a check for $5,000 to go toward the village's pool. The check was a donation from the estate of Shadyside graduate Cheryl F. Moore. Moore passed away in October.
