Phases 1 and 2 of the Kokosing River Restoration Project have begun by Tuscon Inc.
The company is rebuilding the dike between the river and West Lake at Ariel-Foundation Park, Mayor Matt Starr said. Bank stabilization along the Phillips Drive portion for Phase 3 of the project has finished. Seeding and revegetation was scheduled to begin on Monday.
Across the river at South Main Street at the start of the new bike path underpass, stormwater runoff was creating trenches in the embankment, bringing mud and debris with it. A stormwater infiltration system was being installed to keep the bypass free and clear of debris.
“Actually, it’s going to clean it out before it’s releasing it into the river,” Starr said.
Smith Paving and Perram Electric Inc. were improving the turn radius at Chestnut Street and North Main Street. After they pour the caissons for the new poles, the concrete has to cure for 10 days before they can resume work.
“Just a stone’s throw away, just a little bit farther east, we’re going to be working on the Blackberry Alley, which is behind North Main Café,” Starr said. “They’re putting new concrete back there.”
Crews also cleaned out a logjam in Dry Creek behind the NAPA Auto Parts Store near the bike trial bridge.
Streets
Smith Paving was putting down a concrete base at the intersection of North Main Street and Wooster Road. Starr said part of the brick street had a very old underbelly. Bricks will be reinstalled on the road.
The uneven road was a safety hazard for low-rise cars.
Crews will clean up the street islands and fix curbing that is crumbling.
“We’re going to have a crosswalk on Wooster Road, rather than cross the long intersection of North Main and Wooster Road,” Starr said.
This work is in preparation for the repaving planned for State Route 3 from the Public Square to the city limits by the Ohio Department of Transportation.
Parks
Parks had been scheduled to open on April 1, but the weather was too cold. Summer seasonal employees began cleaning up the parks and rolling all the ball fields in preparation for play.
The City needs more seasonal workers, Starr said. Applications are online at the City’s website, mountvernonohio.org. Lifeguards also are needed. Contact the City’s recreation director and pool manager to apply.
Fire Department
The Mount Vernon Fire Department responded to 315 service calls in March in the city, Morris, Pleasant, Liberty and Clinton Townships. Of those, 88% were EMS-related and 12% were fire-related.
