MOUNT VERNON – A pre-construction meeting for the North Sandusky Street Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) project for sidewalk improvements and other infrastructure work was held on Thursday.
The $1.5 million-plus project is expected to begin in early July and be completed by mid-November.
Funds will come from a Small Cities Grant with a 20% match from the City as well as an ODOT Safety Grant that requires a 10% match.
“We’ve had enough accidents to warrant a redesign of that intersection at Belmont,” Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr said.
Curb ramps are being installed at Pleasant, East High and Calhoun streets.
“This is important to meet the ADA requirements and comply with the Ohio Department of Transportation,” Starr said.
A new curb and sidewalk was being installed on Coshocton Avenue and Burning View Drive this week.
Dirt Dawg Excavating plans to start work at the intersection of Oak and South Catherine streets on approximately May 3, Starr said. A neighborhood meeting will be scheduled the week of April 19.
“That is a critical infrastructure grant that is being supported by the Community Development Block Grant,” he said.
Perram Electric installed the four new foundations for the mass arm at the intersection of Chestnut and North Main. The intersection will be closed for up to 30 days.
Trucks traveling from the south of the city on Route 13 will be rerouted around the Public Square, Starr said.
Theater of War
Approximately to 200 people — most of them from Knox County — participated in Theater of War Frontline, the dramatic readings of Sophocles’ “Philoctetes” and the discussions that followed.
“We heard from frontline staff; we heard from business owners who were kind of shut down during the pandemic and had to figure out how to make ends meet,” Starr said. The mayor also had a lead role in the readings.
A caregiver, a police officer, a teacher and a paramedic joined the discussion.
“It’s amazing just how much this ancient story means to modern day times,” Starr said.
Community activities
Gov. Mike DeWine’s latest COVID-19 announcement permits parades, so Mount Vernon will hold its Memorial Day Parade. The City will have public health procedures for the public to follow.
The City also met with Rahn McCluskey, who is the head of the Mount Vernon Girls Softball Association, to make sure everything they needed was in place.
“They will also be working with the Department of Health to make sure that infection control procedures are followed,” Starr said.
Streets
Work on the five-point intersection at Wooster Road and North Main Street continues with bricks restoration on a new concrete bed and the new handicap crossing on a shorter section of roadway.
Neighborhood Watch signs have been installed throughout the city.
The City completed the last of its cold patching, Starr said. Hot mix will be available soon for future road repairs.
Utilities
A fire hydrant on Pennsylvania Avenue was replaced on Thursday.
“We did not have a boil advisory because we did find a watch valve out there,” Starr said.
A Merida Drive hydrant replacement on Friday did require a boil advisory between Stevens Street and Vernedale Drive.