The City of Mount Vernon announced that it is replacing sections of broken sidewalk and curbing on the south side of Coshocton Avenue, near North Catherine Street.
The project is being carried out by Smith Paving and Excavating, a contractor based in Norwalk, Ohio. The city said that the existing sidewalk had sunk below the curb, prompting the installation of a new, wider sidewalk that eliminates a one-foot-wide tree lawn. Additionally, curb ramps are being upgraded to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act standards.
"With the completion of the Catherine Street and Oak Street reconstruction, we have new sidewalks from Gambier Street to Coshocton Avenue. However, at Coshocton Avenue the sidewalks were in poor condition and difficult to navigate," City Engineer Brian Ball said. "This is a highly traveled area for both drivers and non-drivers. This sidewalk was an impediment to providing access to the retail areas of Coshocton Avenue. Once this work is completed, we will have safer transportation options to cross Central Run and perhaps reduce vehicle traffic."
Funding for this project comes from Tax Increment Financing funds. These funds are commonly used by local governments for redevelopment, infrastructure improvements, and community projects by freezing property tax assessments and directing future increases in tax revenue back into designated areas for urban renewal projects such as sidewalk upgrades.
More information about this project can be found on the official roster page at the city's website.
