Lazaro Aleman
ECB Publishing, Inc.
The North Cherry Street upgrade, which has been underway for several weeks, is expected to be completed next week.
Or so City Manager Raymond Clark informed the Monticello City Council via telephone conference on Tuesday evening, May 12.
After more than a year of planning and despite financial difficulties, an abbreviated version of the project got underway on April 20, according to Clark. In light of the coronavirus pandemic and the many businesses and services that shut down as a result, however, city officials were glad simply to have the project finally get done.
Gaskin Contractors is doing the work for $73,400, a price that was negotiated down from its original bid of $151,762.05 because of budgetary crunch with the city. As a consequence of the negotiated lower cost, however, the project has been significantly downscaled.
Originally the upgrade was supposed to extend from the corner of Cherry and Pearl streets to the corner of Cherry and Dogwood streets and include more amenities. As it stands now, however, the improvements extend from the corner of Cherry and Pearl streets to midway down the block only and the number of tree plantings and other features were reduced or eliminated.
The goal, as city officials have expressed it, is to create a more attractive street-scape, with wide sidewalks, brick pavers, pedestrian benches and ornamental trees to enhance visitors' experiences.
On a related issue, Clark informed the council that the long-awaited Pearl Street repaving project should get underway within the next 60 days or so. He said the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) had reviewed and approved the plans and the project was out for bids.
The FDOT awarded the city a $210,505 grant for the resurfacing earlier in the year through its Small City Outreach Program.
The paving will extend from Mulberry Street on the west side of U.S. 19, to Railroad Street on the east side.
The grant calls for the work to be completed by June 30 for this project. The repaving project, along with the North Cherry Street, have long been on the drawing board. They are part of city officials' overall effort to enhance the downtown area and promote economic vitality.