"We need to Build a Bridge!"
In more ways than one...
At recent meetings and at the budget hearing some citizens voiced questions and concerns about funding the Eastside access. The City Manager responded to questions stating that he had made a grant application for funding an overpass. When the Commission was asked if a sub-station of some kind could be considered, the Commission told the city residents that they would need to speak to the county about their protection or location of a station on the Eastside. Why would tax-paying city residents need to consult with the county over that? Then at the budget hearing Commissioner Wood pointed out that she estimated the cost of an overpass to be "double the city’s entire yearly budget." (24 Million.) Commissioner Graham had a similar “guesstimate” in the 20 some million area. The City Manager said that it could easily be much more than either of their estimates. So that made me wonder... If the City had turned in a grant request as part of a “wish list” last year to the Federal Government, just what was the figure that was applied for? The answer...4.6 Million. Where did that figure come from? Engineers? I don’t know. I do know that the City of Pittsburg has already begun their work on an overpass and is keeping their citizens informed of it’s progress through their website, take a look at this link...
www.pittks.org/index.php?pageid=398
Nowhere near 20 million is it? To me the sad part is that the city requested nearly the cost of the Pittsburg overpass for “infrastructure damage” as a result of the fire. This would be limited to city property damaged like waterlines, sidewalks, streets. We got 1.7 Million of the request. That’s nearly 1/2 the cost of a much needed overpass. What will be done with it? Replacement of sidewalks, bricks and curbs downtown? I just don’t understand the priorities sometimes. I do feel we need to “build a bridge.” I know of one that wouldn’t cost very much either. That is the improved relationship between the Commission, Administration and Citizens.
At recent meetings and at the budget hearing some citizens voiced questions and concerns about funding the Eastside access. The City Manager responded to questions stating that he had made a grant application for funding an overpass. When the Commission was asked if a sub-station of some kind could be considered, the Commission told the city residents that they would need to speak to the county about their protection or location of a station on the Eastside. Why would tax-paying city residents need to consult with the county over that? Then at the budget hearing Commissioner Wood pointed out that she estimated the cost of an overpass to be "double the city’s entire yearly budget." (24 Million.) Commissioner Graham had a similar “guesstimate” in the 20 some million area. The City Manager said that it could easily be much more than either of their estimates. So that made me wonder... If the City had turned in a grant request as part of a “wish list” last year to the Federal Government, just what was the figure that was applied for? The answer...4.6 Million. Where did that figure come from? Engineers? I don’t know. I do know that the City of Pittsburg has already begun their work on an overpass and is keeping their citizens informed of it’s progress through their website, take a look at this link...
www.pittks.org/index.php?pageid=398
Nowhere near 20 million is it? To me the sad part is that the city requested nearly the cost of the Pittsburg overpass for “infrastructure damage” as a result of the fire. This would be limited to city property damaged like waterlines, sidewalks, streets. We got 1.7 Million of the request. That’s nearly 1/2 the cost of a much needed overpass. What will be done with it? Replacement of sidewalks, bricks and curbs downtown? I just don’t understand the priorities sometimes. I do feel we need to “build a bridge.” I know of one that wouldn’t cost very much either. That is the improved relationship between the Commission, Administration and Citizens.
posted by Thom Prue @ 3:45 PM
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