Large portion of ARPA funds going to stormwater control

$14 million to be split among 36 projects in various stages

When City Council held two meetings in the summer of 2021 seeking suggestions on how best to spend its $39.6 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding, residents responded with a gusher of concerns about flooding.

In October of 2021, council approved an initial earmark of $4 million in ARPA money for 11 stormwater projects.

That proposed funding has risen to about $14 million for 36 projects, according to a recent chart from city management.

"(The improvements) are very much needed for an antiquated system," said Councilman Jesse Ickes. "Hopefully this provides many more decades of enhanced service."

ARPA rules clearly allow municipalities to use the funds for stormwater infrastructure, which makes the allocations "appropriate," Ickes added.

Sixteen of the projects, costing a total of $2.6 million, are finished or under contract as of September.

Six projects, costing a total of $4.4 million, are in design or "currently planned."

And 14 projects that would cost $6.9 million are in the "pre-planning" or "potential" stage.

The completed and contracted projects:

– Inlets redone as part of this year's capital paving program.

– Inlets and piping on North Seventh Avenue.

– Infrastructure on West Whittier Avenue.

– A storm grate on 17th Avenue.

– A sewer "interceptor" along Kettle Street.

– Rental of an inlet vacuum truck.

– Sliplines along 17th Avenue.

– A study of flooding issues in Pleasant Valley.

– A study and plans for improvements from 21st to 23rd avenues.

– Construction plans for improvements from 23rd to 26th avenues.

– Improvements along North Seventh Avenue between Ninth and 10th streets.

– Design of a storm sewer along Beale and Broad avenues.

– Design of improvements along North Branch Avenue.

– Design of improvements along Seventh Avenue.

– Improvements along Walnut Avenue.

– Inlets and piping between 21st and 23rd avenues.

The projects that are in design or planned:

– Drainage improvements on Mansion Boulevard.

– Drainage improvements along Fort Roberdeau Avenue.

– Inlets and piping between 24th and 27th avenues.

– Inlet improvements on Bellwood Avenue between First and Second streets.

– Construction of storm sewers along Beale and Broad avenues.

– Construction of improvements along North Branch Avenue.

Potential projects or those in pre-planning:

– Intake designs.

– Intake construction.

– Design of a basin near South 12th Street.

– Construction of a basin near South 12th street.

– Property acquisition for the South 12th Street basin

– Design of a basin at Second Street and Caroline Avenue.

– Construction of a basin at Second Street and Caroline Avenue.

– Property acquisition for the basin at Second Street and Caroline Avenue.

– Sliplining of a main and manholes along North Third Street.

– Pipe repairs throughout the city.

– Acquisition of inlets.

– Repairs to a wall along Spring Run and improvements along the stream.

– Improvements along 22nd Street.

– Extension of a sewer along Oak Avenue.

There may not be sufficient resident interest to undertake the 22nd Street project, Public Works Director Nate Kissell told council at a meeting this week.

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.