City officials took the next step in rerouting traffic in downtown
Mount Vernon.
City Council approved a resolution Monday allowing the city
to advertise for bids for the demolition of several building related to the
relocation of State Route 13 through downtown.
The city has been planning the project, which will extend and
expand Sandusky Street south of High Street and connect it to Phillips Drive
and the viaduct. The project will allow truck and residential traffic to follow
Route 13 without disrupting downtown traffic on Mulberry, Gay, Main, High and
Chestnut streets.
It will also include the removal of several buildings along
the new track. The city has received funds for a good portion of the demolition
from HUD. City Engineer Brian Ball said they hope to get the demolition done
prior to any work done on the road or the utility poles. He also feels this
project will be worth it in the long run, making traffic flow much better
through downtown.
“I think the road is going to be a significant improvement.
Those of you at first Friday, most of the traffic can go around. Safer flow,
safer getting out,” Ball said. “This a serious win for everyday operation and
even bigger win for all the events we have downtown. It will be a lot less work
for our folks to set up downtown.”
Council also gave a second reading to a project that would
supply water to areas of South Vernon. The city hopes to submit a
co-application with Clinton Township to the Ohio Public Works Commission
Capital Improvement program to help fund a water main extension project in the
Crystal Avenue area.
Ball said the 112 parcels and 46 households have access to city
sewer, but not water. This would allow residents the option to connect to city
water, if they want, and would tie the water lines going down Harcourt Road to
those on Columbus Road.
In other news, council:
•Authorized the Safety-Service Director to renew contracts
with ODOT for snow and ice removal, as well as maintenance and repair on the
state highways in the city.
•Authorized the sale of seven vehicles in the city’s police
impound lot to be sold on govdeals.com.
•Accepted the recommendation of the Knox County Tax
Incentive Review Council to continue abatements for Danbury and the Woodward
Opera House.
•Re-appointed Jason Hall and Sam Filkins as representatives
on the city’s New Community Authority.
•Accepted the vacation of an alley between Oak and Vine
streets.
•Gave first readings to resolutions allowing the city to
enter into the Governmental Aggregation Program and apply for Ohio Public Works
Commission capital improvement program funds for a west-end sanitary renovation
project; and ordinances adopting a cybersecurity policy for the city and
setting salary for city council members and the council president.
The next meeting of council will be Monday, Sept. 22, at
7:30 p.m. at City Hall.
