City Moves Forward With Grant-Funded Projects
Date Posted: January 9, 2024
Posted In: Discussion, Ideas, Organizations, People, Regionalism,
From Webster-Kirkwood Times: In its first meeting of 2024, the Webster Groves City Council reviewed a host of grant-funded projects that concern everything from street improvements to electric vehicle charging, directing staff to prepare the city to match funds as needed.
These projects include a proposed multi-use path on South Elm Avenue, culvert replacement at Elm Avenue and Kirkham Road, street improvements using Safe Streets 4 All funds, and the proposed construction of more than 20 public electric vehicle charging stations.
Grants are secured for all of the projects except the charging stations, which are pending, but the city has yet to formally add any matching funds to the 2024 budget. The city would need to contribute about $2.3 million in total matching funds to proceed with these projects.
Assistant City Manager Eric Peterson said the city has the funds to proceed, drawing balances from the city’s street improvement, capital improvement and stormwater funds.
“We have cash on hand to do these projects right now,” Peterson told the council during its Jan. 2 meeting.
The council later directed city staff to prepare the necessary budget amendments for approval.
In addition to the grant-matched projects, city leaders also reviewed the costs of repairs to city hall, chief of which is the replacement of the roof at an anticipated cost of $490,000. Asbestos abatement is driving up the cost of the roof replacement, Peterson explained.
To pay for the new roof the city could make use of $370,000 of remaining federal funding from the American Rescue Plan, paying the additional $120,000 from the local capital improvement fund. City administrators also noted the need for remodeling at Fire Station No. 1 and replacement of floors at city hall as other upcoming infrastructure improvements.