Charles and Sylvanie streets to see $1.1 million in sidewalk upgrades with CIP funding
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- Two of St. Joseph's historic thoroughfares will undergo widespread sidewalk infrastructure upgrades with the help of Capital Improvements Program funding this year.
Just over $1.1 million in CIP funding will be used this year to repair deteriorating sidewalks and install new ones on both Charles and Sylvanie streets, specifically between 12th and 18th streets to provide ADA-compliant walking pathways on both sides of the roadway.
The project will also see ADA ramps at street corners and curbs along the streets replaced and upgraded, along with the reconstruction of several alleyway entrances. Side street approaches running north and south will be reconstructed up to a maximum of 15 feet to meet ADA compliance.
"Probably around this fall is when we'll start seeing some sidewalks getting work done," St. Joseph Public Works and Transportation Director Abe Forney said. "There's some utility work that's going on right now. And as soon as those guys are out of the way, we'll wait on the contractor."
City councilmembers gave their approval at Monday's meeting on the project contract with locally-owned J.D. Bishop Construction. J.D. Bishop was the lone company to bid on the project.
A key portion of sidewalk upgrades will occur between 12th and 15th streets within the Museum Hill Historic District, which features an abundance of architecture and aging brick-laid sidewalks in need of repair.
The city is ensuring those sidewalks will be reconstructed with new bricks to preserve the historic integrity of the historic district, which is included on the National Register of Historic Places.
"This is a project that we actually identified in the 2019 CIP project and it was supplemental. So after all the 19 projects got done, there was money remaining," Forney said.
Area resident Bucks Wright was walking alongside Charles Street on Wednesday and said the pathways are in need of significant upgrades.
"You got grass everywhere growing up in the sidewalks," he said. "It needs a lot of improvement, a whole lot of improvement."
City sewer maintenance crews will be working alongside J.D. Bishop Construction on the project to replace storm sewer inlets as needed.
A few trees will have to be removed during construction due to roots and large tree trunks causing sidewalk panels to lift, creating tripping hazards. Most of the existing trees will be preserved.
