LUMBERTON — The City Council is expected Monday to approve a grant application from the Planning and Public Works departments to enhance Carthage Road and Water Street as an entryway from Interstate 95 to downtown.
According to Brandon Love, director of the Planning and Neighborhood Services Department, the city has been working for several years on downtown redevelopment, and Carthage Road, one of the main entrances to downtown, needs to be updated.
Love said that the city would also like the North Carolina Department of Transportation to update the infrastructure of the Carthage Road exit on I-95, exit 19. He hopes the city’s work on Carthage Road will enhance its proposal to the state.
The project carries a price tag of $6 million but the grant from the Federal Highway Administration could cover a majority of the costs.
The first proposed phase of the project includes widening Carthage Road and Water Street between Fifth and Eighth streets to 45 feet; demolition of the former county jail; and the reconfiguration of the traffic signals or the installation of a round-a-bout exchange at the Elizabeth Road intersection.
This phase is budgeted to cost $695,000 — $556,000 of which would be paid for by the grant and $139,000 to be paid by the city.
Also on Monday, the council will hold a public hearing to inform residents about the newest Community Development Block Grant program.
In 2011, the state received about $38 million in federal funds for the program, which aims to develop viable communities by providing decent housing and suitable living environment for its residents. The categories in which the city is eligible to apply include: infrastructure improvements, small business assistance, and a new program called N.C. Catalyst, which allows for housing developments and special projects for public facilities.
Steve Player with the Wooten Company, which offers engineering, planning and architectural services to the city, will be available for questions.
The City Council meets at 7 p.m. Monday on the third floor of City Hall.
Also on Monday, the council is expected to:
— Approve a capital project ordinance, which is required to establish funding for the construction of the new police station. The city was recently approved for $3 million interim financing from BB&T.
— Approve a budget amendment to the Powell Bill fund because it received $15,540 less than originally budgeted. The new Powell Bill fund budget includes $632,880 in revenues and $449,040 in expenditures.
— Renew a two-year technical maintenance contract with Progressive Engineering Consultants, which is used on an as-needed basis.
— Approve a $355,937 contract with AT&T for an emergency 911 controller, which is the device that receives calls to the city’s 911 center.
— Approve the purchase of a $10,995 copier and scanner from Sandhills Office Systems for the Planning, Public Works and Electric Utilities departments.
— Discuss a contract with the Robeson County Community Development Corporation for credit counseling services.
— Approve a $6,190.46 purchase of two transnet radio relays, surge protectors and other components for monitoring the sewage plant.
— Approve the final contract with Barnes Paving for the Dec. 22, 2011, completion of a city-wide paving project in the amount of $2.78 million.
— Approve the rules and regulations for city-owned cemeteries.
— Approve a $4,069 grant from the Lumber River Area Agency on Aging from the Pine Street Senior Center. A local match of 25 percent is required.
— Approve December tax releases in the amount of $2,757.84.
— Designate $150 of Councilman John Robinson’s community revitalization money for a handicap ramp at 2210 Musselwhite Drive.
— Reach staff writer Ali Rockett at 910-272-6127 or arockett@heartlandpublications.com.
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