By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times
The city of Grayson held an informational meeting on their planned Sidewalk Improvement Project last Tuesday, to reveal mockups from Bell Engineering, discuss the scope of the project, and solicit public feedback.
The project, funded through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KTC) Transportation Alternative Program, will add a little more than half a mile of concrete sidewalk to the city, connecting the Grayson Sports Park to East Main Street. The sidewalk will run on the east side of the road, along Robert and Mary Street and Midland Trail.
While some folks expressed concerns about a loss of curb-side parking with the project, most expressed support for the improvements.
Larry Doucet, who owns several properties along the route, noted that his tenants would be losing some street side parking as well. But, he said, he was in favor of it because it was, “for the betterment of the city.”
Doucet noted increased foot traffic and improved handicap access among the benefits the project would bring to the neighborhood.
Mayor George Steele noted that it would make it much safer for children and families to access the new park.
“We built that park for the kids,” Steele said, emphasizing the importance of a sidewalk in making it accessible to all children and allowing children to get there safely.
The park is fully handicap accessible, and the park playground includes handicap accessible playground features provided through the Carter County Kiwanis Club. The sprayground water feature is also expected to be fully handicap accessible when it opens later this year.
Steele also commended those who were doing the work to secure the new sidewalks, saying the city was fortunate, “we have people committed to changing things for the better.”
That includes Roger and Joanne Dunfee, with Grayson Emergency Management, who have been working with FIVCO, the Transportation Cabinet, and other government agencies on planning, grants, and other funding for sidewalk improvements in town for some time, including this project.
Representatives from FIVCO, who will be assisting with a waterline replacement project in the same area, were at the meeting as well and expressed an eagerness to work with the contractors on the sidewalk project to coordinate their schedules. They hope to work together to lessen the impact on the neighborhood traffic and complete any work that might intersect with the sidewalk before those sections of the sidewalk are put in.
While at least one resident – the same individual who lamented the loss of street-side parking – claimed she would be losing property with the project, representatives with KTC said all construction for this project was taking place within the state’s right-of-way, and no property was being taken by eminent domain.
Joe Marwell, with Bell Engineering, told the resident that if they wished to contest the property lines, however, they would be allowed to do so. The first step, he told her, would be to have her own survey conducted, and to bring the findings of that survey to the city. If new finding deemed it necessary, he said, Bell could then revise their plan for the city.
He also explained that existing driveways would not be impacted, and the city would include driveway access across the sidewalk where properties have existing driveways. However, while the resident of the property does have a driveway, she said it was “the principle of the thing” in regard to the loss of street-side parking.
The resident said she was also informed she will lose some trees and that her fence will have to be relocated. Steele confirmed that any trees or shrubs planted within the state right-of-way will be removed to facilitate construction, and any fences in the right-of-way will be relocated or replaced at the city’s cost. Steele also noted that the curbing, gutters, and other storm-drain improvements associated with the sidewalk project should help address long-term drainage issues, such as pooling of water on the road and in yards, that have plagued the area. This is on top of drainage and ditching work already completed at the park property itself.
“We’ve done a lot of work in that neighborhood,” Steele said, explaining that the sidewalk project is just the next step in those improvements.
The city expects to begin taking bids on the project around the first of May, which should coordinate well with the planned water line repairs across the street.
Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com
