Parkersburg council discusses infrastructure, potential daycare center

As residents of Parkersburg already know, construction crews are in the midst of several major infrastructure projects in the city with more to come, and city leaders and council members are excited to see the finished product.

“It’s a big deal. I think it’s amazing to hear the contractor commend our citizens on how cooperative and understanding (they are) and how it’s just a joy for them to work here,” city administrator Chris Luhring said.

The city council got an update on the Railroad Street water main project during Monday night’s regular meeting, and it was reported that so far, $156,135 of the $500,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) that Parkersburg received last year has been spent. In addition, $204,121 of the total local obligation of $535,530 has also been spent.

City Engineer Lee Gallentine reported that other than the weather, everything is going well on the water main project, and the council approved motions to move forward on sanitary sewer lining and repairs, which will be completed sometime in 2020. The plan is to line around 12,000 feet of sanitary sewer mains and existing features between Railroad Street to the north, the highway to the south, Johnson Street to the east and the highway to the west.

With four CDBG projects either ongoing or pending between water mains, a housing grant, sanitary sewer and a potential storm sewer upgrade, it’s safe to say the city is busy improving its infrastructure. The council later voted to set a public hearing for the December 2 meeting at 7:00 p.m.

For the full story, see this week’s Eclipse News-Review. Subscribe by calling 319-346-1461 or by clicking here.