Othello business owners hear economic plan

Funding sought

OTHELLO - A $6 million plan to improve roads, sewer and stormwater services in Othello's industrial zone near state Route 24 was presented to a group of about 14 business owners at the Othello City Hall.

The unfunded project is intended to improve economic development for the community in an area of about 220 acres of land, said Othello City Administrator Ehman Sheldon and engineers.

But some residents were concerned about being charged for the work because annexation paperwork stated abutting property owners would be financially responsible.

Jean Parrish, owner of Saddle Mountain Farm Supply, asked if residents would have to pay for the improvements.

Sheldon told the group the city has no intent of forming a local improvement district to tax residents.

But the city may ask residents for $50 to beef up funding, Sheldon said. He added that residents aren't required to do anything and he asked them to write letters of support for the project for funding proposals.

The state Department of Transportation, Adams County and a private match of $100,000 from local businesses and industry, are included on an engineer's list of proposed funding sources.

Other sources also include grants and loans from various state and federal sources.

It's estimated it will take between two years to three years to obtain project funding and another six months to nine months for construction, consulting engineer Larry Julius of Gray & Osborne Inc. later said.

Match money can come from any source and nothing is cast in stone. He said it's his understanding that contributing the match money is optional for residents.

Small amounts of money and letters of support help the project gain support with funding agencies, he said.

Julius noted even during the current financial times, there seems to be money for the taking for economic development.

"There's more and more economic development dollars than other funding sources right now," Julius explained.

Within two months, the city will know if it has certain funding or not, he said. One funding source shares results in the spring. A federal program can take up to two years to learn if a project is funded, he said.

Julius said they are considering extending a sewer line and adding a couple of crossings near state Route 24.

It hasn't been determined how the sidewalks will be designed, he said. In some areas, industrial parks will separate the sidewalk from the road for safety, he said.

A woman asked if state Route 24 will be widened to add turn lanes.

City coordinator Jay Van Ness said the state Department of Transportation has plans to widen the highway to add center turn lanes, but the work isn't funded.

Sheldon said the DOT may want to partner with the city for the turn lane additions.

David Garza of Flamingo Trucking asked if an entryway could be widened where Lawson Street and state Route 24 meet.

A road hazard is caused when crossing and the company experienced trouble getting in and out with vehicles, Garza said.

Julius said those types of plans are still down the road.