Othello discusses Main Street beautification

OTHELLO — Othello City Council discussed costs associated with the Main Street beautification project.

A committee of councilmembers met with the Beautification Committee to discuss possible improvements to Main Street to be made during the June Main Street rebuild project.

At a previous meeting committee member Lynette Caruthers asked the council to consider installing power and water connections to support light poles and cherry blossom trees to line both sides of Main Street from 14th Avenue to Broadway Avenue.

She explained banners could be hung from the light posts letting people know about the various events happening in Othello to draw tourists.

Gray and Osborne engineers gave a presentation indicating it will cost about $60,000 to install electrical and water connections. The estimate does not include the purchase and installation of the trees and light poles and proposed sidewalk replacement.

To do all of the other work in addition to installing the connections is estimated to cost about $980,000. The engineering firm advised the sidewalks do not need to be replaced to do the project.

“It’s a million-dollar project, people,” said Councilmember Marc Spohr.

He explained he was in a community last week with trees and light posts similar to the suggestion made by the committee. He said it did not seem to add value to the community.

Spohr explained $1 million could be better spent on new parks and recreational facilities.

There was discussion during the meeting that if the city funded the $60,000 version of the project, they would be eligible for various grants to fund the remainder because the project would be considered “shovel-ready.”

“We do need something on Main Street to make the City of Othello look like a city,” said Councilmember Ken Caylor.

Councilmember Charles Garcia said he agrees that additional recreation space is a great idea but believes investing $60,000 into the look of the community is a good investment too because it may keep people coming back to the city.

“You got to start somewhere,” said Councilmember Dan Dever.

He said the $60,000 would be money well spent.

Council did not take action on the issue because it was a workshop meeting. They will discuss the $60,000 version of the project at the next council meeting.