Athens Releases Summer Street Pavement Plan

Athens City Council met earlier this week to discuss the city’s annual pavement updates for the months ahead through the Transportation Committee.

At-Large Rep. Elahu Gosney pointed out certain areas of Athens that can expect improvements.

“We have a tentative list of streets in need or repair or re-surfacing,” said Gosney. “A part of West Union from Schafer to High, Joneswood Terrace and Riverview will be re-surfaced in conjunction with some water work that is being done.”

Along with the previous streets, Herrace, Ranson, McGuffy, part of Columbus Circle, and the very northern end of Court Street will also be under construction.

“This year we are looking to increase funding from what was a little over $320,000 last year to $400,000 this year for street paving and rehab due to the levy that the residents passed,” said Gosney.

Funding for improvements on East State Street from the area of Carpenter to Morris will cost an estimated $11,000 while the entirety of Morris Avenue will cost roughly $44,000. Other construction on Franklin Avenue dealing with sidewalk construction will cost about $12,000.

Residents of Athens can also expect sidewalk repairs for the Grosvenor Slip.

“The Grosvenor Project totals about $80,000 worth of work,” said Gosney. “About half of it will be the city’s cost and the other half will be assessed to the property owners.”

In order to bring down stress and prices of a property owners’ self-assessment of the repairs needed to their area of the sidewalk, the city combines large projects, such as the Grosvenor Slip, to make the cost less expensive for individual property owners. Owners who participate pay the city either through a payment or assessment that will appear on their property tax bill.

“From the area of Grosvenor and almost all the way to Madison, the city will take on responsibility for curbs and crosswalks, while property owners will be responsible for the remainder of the sidewalk,” said Gosney.

In order to move forward with the planned repairs, city council must move two different pieces of legislation forward. The first is a resolution of necessity stating that the city has identified a certain area in need of repair. The second involves appropriating money in order to pay for the projects.

“We need to do work for the public good to improve sidewalks,” Gosney said.