Howard Street residents were pleased with proposed road improvements at the Thursday, Aug. 6, meeting at Mt. Olive Baptist Church.
Formerly, two lanes were proposed for South Howard Street, a deteriorating road that has six homes on it. In addition to the lanes, a six-foot sidewalk and eight-foot buffer zone were also proposed. A change in the elevation of the road was also added to help with drainage, as the street formerly flooded.
Both residents and city leaders thought that the initial change would negatively impact residents, who share the narrow street with Mt. Olive Baptist Church. If the initial changes were approved, residents would hardly have any room between their doorsteps and the sidewalks.
In an effort to have a minimal impact on residents, the plans for the improvement project were dialed back. The buffer zone and sidewalks were eliminated from the plan, which gave residents 14 feet from their homes to the roadway. The proposed drainage and infrastructure improvements will still be done, in addition to repaving and slightly expanding the roadway. Part of Mt. Olive Baptist Church’s driveway will also be reduced to expand the street.
At the Aug. 6 meeting, Assistant City Manager Bill McDaniel and City Engineer Michael Schenk discussed the proposed changes with residents, who were in favor of the revised plans.
“We are well pleased and satisfied,” Retha Cooper, a Howard Street resident, said.
The total budget for the project is $358,210. It is expected to be completed by December.