Each council district to be treated ‘equally’
About $1.5 million is budgeted for curb and gutter improvements at various areas around the city and it’s a matter of time before a project start date kicks in, officials said. The final cost of the improvements hasn’t been etched in stone, so that amount could end up a bit higher after workshops and council meetings within the next few weeks, Gallup Public Works Director Stan Henderson noted.
“It involves budgeting and planning,” Henderson said of the project. “I anticipate that we’ll have a final plan soon.”
Henderson said the project is something that’s been listed on the city’s Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan for some time. He said when things do get started that each council district will receive the same amount of detailed attention with respect to not only curbs and gutter, but to sidewalks, too.
Henderson introduced the curb and gutter plan to the Gallup City Council in 2014 and council members approved a starting amount of $250,000 and $500,000 more for fiscal 2015. Improvements to curb and gutters and sidewalks have long been a need around the city an there are some areas where cosmetic improvements haven’t been done in more than 10 years.
District 1 City Councilor Linda Garcia, whose district encompasses parts of the north side, said she welcomes the start of the project. She said a council work shop scheduled for next week should shed some light on not only the curb and gutter situation, but other needed infrastructural projects as well.
“Obviously, I think there are areas throughout the city that need the curb and gutter improvements,” Garcia said. “I know that around St. Francis (Church) needs something done and just generally there are areas throughout the entire north side that need some work. It’s definitely a priority on the north side.”
Henderson said the city plans to approach each district equally and do the same amount of work, downplaying neighborhood favoritism. He said each council district is considered a big priority. Henderson said work crews would most likely begin the improvements during a warm month so as to get as much accomplished as possible when snow and rain are not a hindrance.
By Bernie Dotson
Sun Correspondent
