Street, drainage grant sought
Staff writer
As the bank of Luta Creek is being repaired, Marion city council members hope for a grant to pay for repairs to Elm St. curb and gutter and a drainage culvert that triggered the bank collapse last summer.
An application seeks a Kansas Department of Transportation grant that would pay most of the cost of new curb and guttering a block east of the collapse, on Locust St., where the curbs and gutters are settling because of bridge deck and guard wall failure related to improper control of drainage into Luta Creek.
Both the Elm St. and Locust St. problems have been noted for more than a decade but recently have become more pronounced.
City administrator Roger Holter told council members Monday that the safety of pedestrians and cars would be in jeopardy if repairs are not made.
Also included is a request for money to extend a culvert, add side slope fill and curb, and replace 1st St. where it crosses Luta Creek. Replacing the curb and street to divert water would protect the street from erosion.
Of the estimated $323,664, in total costs for the projects, $98,554 would be paid by the city.
If the grant is approved, construction would be expected to begin in fall or spring of next year.
In other matters at Monday’s meeting, council members
- Scheduled a 4:30 p.m. public hearing May 28 on a community development block grant to assist businesses struggling because of economic effects of COVID-19.
- Accepted an offer of $600 for property at 305 S. Lincoln that was given to the city’s land bank a year ago after the city began condemnation proceedings. The city will tear down the existing house and assistant police chief Steve Janzen will build a garage for and extend the yard of rental property he owns at 307 S. Lincoln St.