Paris, Tenn.–The Paris City Commission Thursday night gave the green light for application for a $1M TDOT Multimodal Access Grant to complete upgrades at the Tyson/Mineral Wells/Veterans Avenue intersection.
The resolution commits the city to providing matching funds up to 10 percent, which would come to $100,000 to be provided by the city. The upgrades include high visibility crosswalks, curb ramps, pedestrian signals, and refuge islands, in addition to some 3,000 feet of sidewalk from the intersection going south along Tyson, ending at the UT Extension Office.
Travis Martin of TML made a presentation on the grant process and Paris City Manager Kim Foster said the City will also be constructing a sidewalk along Dale Street which will provide a vital connectivity component to the project.
At the busy regular session, Commissioners approved the second and final reading of the ordinance which prohibits the discharge of any soil, sand, mud, gravel, dirt, grass clippings, weeds, leaves, limbs, or any other such mineral or vegetation waste onto public roadways.
In other business:
–The board approved an increase in funding of $4,500 for the Carl Perkins Center, which is moving to a new location on W. Washington Street. Remodeling of the County’s 911 building necessitated the move. Director Carly Wheat said in a letter to the commission that the new location is great, especially for its proximity to the municipal building, but they are now faced with paying market value for rent and covering utility costs. The $4,500 will get them through the remainder of this fiscal year.
–The commission approved purchase of property adjacent to the Paris-Henry County Landfill. Landfill Superintendent Bobby Swayne had soil samples taken and evaluated and it was determined that there was probably $300,00 – $500,000 worth of topsoil on this property. The property is some 56 acres and presently owned by Waverly Wood.
The Henry County Commission also will need to approve the purchase at its next meeting.
Photo: Travis Martin of TML makes a presentation to the commission. Jennifer Morris photo.