Council members voted unanimously to award the bid for the construction of the first phase of a new sidewalk to L.J. Inc. for $106,624.47. The project will involve the construction of a 5-foot wide sidewalk from the intersection of US 176 and Rice Avenue Extension at Bi-Lo to the gate of the Timken Park Sports Complex. This will be the first of three phases of sidewalk construction the city has planned for the area.
Area residents have been asking for a sidewalk to be built there for years. Currently, pedestrians must walk either on the road’s shoulder or the road itself.
The construction of the sidewalk is being financed with a $200,000 grant from the SCDOT’s Transportation Enhancement Program. The city is matching the grant with $50,000 from its general fund balance.
Public Services Director Perry Harmon said the bid award must be approved by the SCDOT before the project can go forward. When asked about what would be done with the balance of the grant money, Harmon said the city is negotiating with the SCDOT for authorization to use the money to begin at least part of the second phase of sidewalk construction.
Sidewalk Replacement
In a related matter, council voted unanimously to award the bid for the replacement of damaged sidewalks to Ray Lemmons Bulldozing for $46,140. Harmon said the project will be financed through a combination of C Funds and allocations in the street department budget.
Sections of sidewalks along the following streets will be replaced as part of the project:
• East South Street
• West South Street
• Hart Street
• Keenan Avenue
• Douglas Heights
• North Boyce Street
• West Academy Street
• Wedgewood Court
• South Pinckney Street.
Land Transfer
Council members also voted unaninously Tuesday to approve the first reading of an ordinance transferring its 42-acre portion of the South Hills Softball Complex to Union County.
The vote comes just a month after council decided in a workshop session to transfer the property to the county which has managed and maintained the complex for years despite owning just two acres at the stie. Mayor Harold Thompson said the council decided to transfer the property in light of the county obtaining funds to upgrade the complex.
In December, Supervisor Tommy Sinclair announced the county’s application for $121,000 in Park and Recreation Department funds was approved by the State Recreation Department. The PARD funds, along with a $20,000 match provided by the county, will be used to install restrooms; build a new concession stand; renovate one of the complex’s larger ballfields, including the installation of an irrigation system; and installation of an irrigation system at the other large ballfield.
The city has owned the property since 1949 when it was originally acquired for use as a landfill. The landfill was closed in the 1970s and the property designated for recreational purposes. In 1978, the Union County Recreation Commission acquired grant money from the SC Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism for the county and city to build the first two fields.
Funds Transfer
The city council also voted unanimously to approve a recommendation by Public Safety Director Sam White that the city transfer $15,605.35 to Union County. White said the funds will be used to help cover the costs of furnishing the training/conference room at the Courthouse Annex, 322 East Main St. He said the room is used by Union County Victim Advocate and local law enforcement for meetings and training sessions.
White said the funds would be transferred from the portion of the criminal fines collected by city designated for programs that aid the victims of crime.
Council then voted to authorize the Union County YMCA to spend up to $34,272 to resurface the swimming pool it operates and maintains for the city. YMCA CEO Scott Sandor told council the surface of the pool has to be repaired every year — a process which involves draining the water, making the repairs and then refilling the pool. Sanders said the proposed resurfacing would fix this, adding the company that will do the work is offering a five-year warranty
The work will be funded with $30,000 the city has already allocated for building maintenance at the Y plus an additional $4,272 allocation. Sanders said the Y handles routine maintenance of the facilities with funds generated from its operations. It only uses the city’s funds for major repairs.
Council member Orangelow Ruff cast the only vote in opposition to the transfer. Mrs. Ruff said she felt council needed more information about warranties.
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