A section of sidewalk surrounded by orange and white barrels and safety fencing had the attention of the City Council Monday.
The sidewalk on the north side of West First Street in front of 106 W. First has been barricaded for a few days because of a “hazardous vaulted sidewalk condition.”
Public Works Director Chris Berry explained that the sidewalk is settling into a basement underneath. The situation “presents an immediate public safety concern,” Berry wrote in a report to the council.
He wrote that Otto Baum Company can do masonry and structural support, and Ratliff Brothers can perform excavation, fill, concrete and other restoration work.
The work will be a “one-time permanent correction rather than routine maintenance,” Berry wrote.
The total cost of the repairs will be $49,375.
Mayor Gary Moore asked if some of the city’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds could be used to pay for the work. Berry said there is money in the city budget to cover it.
Without deciding exactly how it will be paid for, the council voted to go ahead with the repair project.
Council members said there may be other areas downtown where basements extend under the sidewalks in front of business buildings. They suggested that a survey be done to identify other similar issues that could come up.
