City Council recently authorized the preparation of final plans and estimates for a storm detention pond at 39th Street near Maple Avenue, where flooding has troubled residents for years, leading to repeated complaints.

“I’m glad to see it was finally presented,” said area resident Billie Witherow. “I hope it won’t take 10 years.”

“We hope it doesn’t take 10 years, too,” said Councilman Bruce Kelley.

The next step will be preliminary design and engineering, then final design, said Public Works Director Nate Kissell.

He expects the pond to be about 8 feet deep, he said.

Variables that make it difficult to predict when construction would begin are permitting and property acquisition, Kissell said.

There is no cost estimate yet, Kissell said.

Previously, he guessed the cost would be between $300,000 and $500,000, depending on how large a storm the pond will be designed to handle and how much needs to be done to deal with environmental issues.

“There’s light at the end of the tunnel,” said Councilman Dave Butterbaugh.

Council authorized the preparation of final plans, specifications and estimates for a sanitary sewer extension for the same area in late August.

That extension would be constructed next year, cost $132,000 and serve three properties with homes and six undeveloped lots.

The city plans to cover the $24,000 cost of design, permitting, easement acquisition, paving and landscape restoration, while the nine property owners would be assessed the remaining $108,000.

The sanitary project would be done in cooperation with Logan Township and the Altoona Water Authority.

At its most recent meeting, the township supervisors approved an intergovernmental cooperation agreement with the city for the work, which will be done in both municipalities by the Water Authority.

The township would pay the authority $55,000 for its portion of the work, which is upstream from the city section.

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 949-7038.