Council adds $161,000 to Safe Routes funding
The total cost of the initiative now stands at $650,000, of which $416,000 will be reimbursed by the state.
The Common Council has approved $161,000 in additional funding for Safe Routes to School projects in the city, bringing the total to $650,000.
The extra spending was authorized in an 8-0 vote on Tuesday. Alderwoman Nina Dawson, D-Ward 4, was absent.
Alderman Anthony Davis said he voted “yes” after getting answers to questions he had about a proposed speed bump on Joy’s Lane, near Dietz Stadium.
“I just needed to have some more information about the speed hump there,” said Davis, D-Ward 6. “After speaking to [City Engineer] Ralph Swenson and the mayor, I got my questions answered, which was that is inside the district for Bailey [Middle School] and Edson [Elementary School], so that’s why the proposal for Joy’s Lane.” The stadium is operated jointly by the city and the Kingston school district, and Bailey and Edson are just west of the stadium.
Of the $650,000 total, $577,000 will be bonded and $73,000 will come from the city’s general fund. The state will reimburse the city $416,000. Swenson last month that additional funding was needed because the low bid forconstruction—$465,033 from Sun-Up Enterprises — was about $30,000 more than expected, and because $153,000 had to be earmarked for design and inspections.
Safe Routes to School projects in Kingston are to include:
• A new sidewalk on Burhans Boulevard, nea Harry L. Edson Elementary School and J. Watson Bailey Middle School. There also will be upgrades to a pedestrian signal on nearby Lucas Avenue.
• New pedestrian signals at the Washington Avenue intersections with Lucas Avenue, Main Street, Pearl Street and Linderman Avenue. The signals would be for students attending George Washington Elementary School, Edson and Bailey.
• Curb cuts on the four corners at the intersection of Murray Street and Delaware Avenue, as well as pedestrian signal; and curb cuts on Gross Street. This work impacts students who attend John F. Kennedy Elementary School.
• A crosswalk at the intersection of Quarry Street and Hurley Avenue, near Bailey.
• Crosswalks at Wall and Franklin streets and at Fair and Henry streets, near George Washington.