Block grants sought for bricks, mortar county projects

Published 10:52 am Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Close to $400,000 in Community Development Block Grants could come into the eastern end of the county for infrastructure updates, if the county gets the OK.

Among the projects that are possible candidates are $108,000 for parking and storm drainage at Burlington Commons park and proposed Burlington courthouse; $220,300 for resurfacing parking lot and replacing sidewalks at the Chesapeake Community Center and $59,700 for resurfacing walking track at the center to make it handicapped accessible.

These selections for the limited funds were made after getting public input on what were viewed as priority projects.

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“Basically each year letters are sent out to different municipalities, trustees, different development organizations asking for particular projects,” Ralph Kline, assistant executive director of the Ironton-Lawrence County Community Action Organization, said. “It is through the commissioners to decide what projects go. You have to have an eligible project or area, that is principally low and moderate income. They take that into consideration.

Then economic development leaders determine which projects would be most competitive under the program.

On the Ironton cityside, applications have been made for funds for the following projects including $280,000 to replace 400 feet of failing pipe for the flood station at Moulton’s Field. The total project is expected to cost $912,000 with the city borrowing the additional funds. Other city projects are creating a pocket park at the corner of South Second and Vernon streets; façade improvements for downtown; and replacing underground streetscape lighting.

Awards for the grants should be known in late August.