#EDMONDEXCHANGE
Covell work update
Drivers might want to avoid Covell Road at the intersections of Bryant and Santa Fe avenues.
Work is underway to install turn lanes at both intersections and the projects are scheduled to take four months.
Covell Road will remain open during construction. However, temporary closures may occur to accommodate equipment. Motorists are encouraged to use alternative routes.
Cimarron Construction Company is contractor for the project, which will cost nearly $2.6 million. The city is picking up the entire bill. Money will come from a special tax approved in 2000 for capital improvements.
Work at both intersections is considered to be shortterm improvements, because Covell Road is expected to be turned into a four-lane parkway throughout the city.
Easements and utility work have been completed for the future parkway project, which also added to the cost, said Assistant City Manager Steve Commons.
Live in Edmond?
One of the more frequent questions asked is “Do you live in Edmond?” It can be confusing. People can live outside the Edmond city limits and still have an Edmond ZIP code or live in the Edmond school district.
It is important to know whether an address is in the city limits because it makes a difference on which police, fire or utility company is called in an emergency. It also makes a difference when a person can vote and on what issues.
With an address in the city limits, people are eligible for programs offering trees, sidewalks, recycling or smoke alarms. You have to live in the city limits to serve on an Edmond board or commission. Check out the address locator on www.edmondok. com. Just type in an address to find out if it is in the city limits of Edmond.
Home for a miracle
McCaleb Homes of Edmond is building a 2,300-square-foot modern farmhouse-style home in the Town Square Housing Addition with proceeds to be donated to the Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Caleb McCaleb is hoping to raise more than $100,000 with sale of the house at 3325 Clock Tower Circle, located between Coltrane Avenue and Sooner Road off Danforth.
The $399,000 home, with a view of the lake, is expected to be completed the first week of August.
McCaleb’s wife, Terri, is one of the dancers for this year’s Dancing for a Miracle at 6 p.m. Aug. 19. She will be dancing with professional dancer Darren Fernandez.
This is the 10th anniversary of Dancing for a Miracle to be held at the Embassy Suites in Norman. This year’s event is called “A Decade of Dance,” and all the music will come from Disney productions, McCaleb said.
Contractors, who have been working on the house or donating materials, were recognized Friday at the site of the miracle home.
It’s a fact
Edmond city limits covers 90 square miles. Throughout the city, there are 190 pieces of public art and more than 30 parks and outdoor venues. The average household income is $105,316 while in the Oklahoma City metroarea its $71,711 and in Oklahoma $65,324. For the United States, that figure is $77,009, according to the Edmond Economic Development Authority’s Edmond Economic Abstract.
What’s happening
Edmond Planning Commission meets at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at 20 S Littler Ave.
Farmers Market is from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at J.L. Mitch Park.
18th annual University of Central Oklahoma Endeavor Games start Thursday and continue through Sunday on the Edmond campus.
Need an answer?
Reader Drew Upchurch asked: “I am frustrated by the lack of dollars spent on Hafer Park maintenance. I am 38 years old and having gone to Hafer Park since I was a toddler. I see little change. Money seems to flow to the northwest residents at Mitch Park while Hafer is neglected. Trails have tree roots protruding, making them unpassable with a stroller, playgrounds have exposed rebar sticking out of retaining walls, rusted playground components wrapped in duct tape, erosion control issues, a pond with a disgusting issue with duck feces and sunken dirt around the pond to hold the contaminated soil, no parking striping and unusable bathrooms. Where do I start to get a movement for action?”
Parks and Recreation Director Craig Dishman answered: “We continue to strive to find that balance with new parks and facilities while maintaining our current ones. You are correct, Hafer Park does need attention. We have funds allocated in this next budget year for improvements to the playgrounds and baseball fields. The baseball fields were built on a landfill over 50 years ago and we want to bring them up to a higher quality that our residents and tournament participants will be proud of. The tot-lot playground and larger playground ‘circle’ will both be upgraded this winter. We have also identified several areas on the trail that need some attention and restrooms also identified for much needed upgrades in 2019.”
Have questions about Edmond and its road construction, the hotel and conference center, traffic, new capital improvement projects or anything else? Email your questions to dbaldwin@oklahoman.com. Edmond Exchange will find an answer.