MOUNT VERNON – The City of Mount Vernon is replacing sections of broken sidewalk and curbing on the south side of Coshocton Avenue, in the vicinity of North Catherine Street.
The work is being done by the contractor Smith Paving and Excavating, of Norwalk, Ohio. The sections of sidewalk being replaced had sunk below the curb, and the new sidewalk being installed is wider, eliminating a tree lawn that was only one foot wide.
The curb ramps are being upgraded to meet Americans with Disabilities Act compliance.
“With the completion of the Catherine Street and Oak Street reconstruction, we have new sidewalks from Gambier Street at Coshocton Avenue,” said City Engineer Brian Ball. “However, at Coshocton Avenue the sidewalks were in poor condition and difficult to navigate.
“This is a highly traveled area for both drivers and non-drivers. This sidewalk was an impediment to providing access to the retail areas of Coshocton Avenue. Once this work is completed, we will have safer transportation options to cross Central Run and perhaps reduce vehicle traffic.”
This project is being paid for with Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds, which are routinely used by local governments to subsidize redevelopment, infrastructure and community improvements by freezing property tax assessments and directing future increases in tax revenue back into a designated area for urban renewal and public projects, such as sidewalk upgrades.