The project, that started 14 years ago, was originally a joint effort between Jacksonville, Weaver, Anniston and Calhoun County. According to Jacksonville Mayor Johnny Smith, Anniston dropped out to do the project themselves early on. Weaver, earlier this year, asked to be dismissed from the project, stating that the costs were too high. Calhoun County is still involved with the project. With one entity getting out and another wanting to move forward, Jacksonville found itself in the middle.
However, the mayor said the decision to move forward was in the city’s interest.
“It comes down to the fact that we just got to do what we think is best for the city of Jacksonville and its citizens,” said Smith, “and we think it will also help a lot of people outside the city limits if we have that nice road into the city. For the people in the west side of town and the Weaver area, it will be easier for them to come in and trade in Jacksonville.”
Now that Jacksonville has passed a resolution, the project can continue if the Alabama Department of Transportation allows it to become a stage project.
“We don’t know if it can be done as a stage project,” said Smith. “It was put together as all three entities being in it. So now, we will get this resolution passed tonight down to the Fourth Division of ALDOT tomorrow and they will work on seeing if it can be approved. This is federal money so they may have to run it though the federal highway department. We are just going to have to wait and see before we can continue.”
If designated as a stage project, Jacksonville would be responsible for only its part of the road upgrade. The latest estimate the city received, in October of 2009, totaled the cost of the project for Jacksonville’s portion to be at $931,000. The project is an 80/20 match, meaning the city would only have to pay $254,640 of that amount. Smith said he would be surprised to see that figure increase to $300,000 by the time the project is finished.
During the council’s work session, Smith gave an update on the addition being built to the city’s library. Morgan Construction Company has stopped work on the project that was set to be completed in November of last year.
“He has pretty much walked away,” said Smith. “He has not done anything on the project for probably a month now. He’s just pretty much not coming back to work. When we call him, we are not getting any response from them. So, we have had to go ahead and contact the people holding the bond on that project and try to get the project finished at the bid the contractor secured in the beginning.”
Smith said that he would venture to guess that library patrons could expect the addition to be completed in three months.
Also at last night’s meeting, the city council voted on two city street resurfacing projects. Jacksonville Public Works Project #126, Gardner Drive SE, Resurfacing Project and #127, Mountain Street NW, Resurfacing Project were both approved by the council.
In other action, the council:
• Scheduled a public hearing for July 12, 2010, regarding the Community Development Block Grant Program FY2010, Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project.
• Acknowledge the retirement notification of James E. McLeod, Assistant Fire Chief, effective July 1, 2010. McLeod has served the city for 28 years and will continue to serve as a volunteer fireman for Jacksonville.
• Approved the employment of Karen E. Langley Peeler, Clerical Assistant, Planning and Building Department.
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