By Matt Clevenger
TROY — Members of the Troy City Council authorized the bidding for the West Main Street improvement project, phase II. This project will include approximately 12 to 18 months of construction work between Ridge Avenue and Interstate 75 and is scheduled to begin in March of 2024.
Phase II is expected to cost approximately $8 million. Council members approved a resolution authorizing the city’s director of public service and safety to advertise seeking bids for the project during their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 5.
“This phase is from Ridge Avenue to I-75,” Council member Bobby Phillips said during a report from the city’s streets and sidewalks committee, which has recommended approval of the resolution.
“The project phase has been designed with a cost estimate of $8 million,” he said. “While that exceeds the $7,362,000 included in the 2023 budget, the additional funding is available from the capital improvement fund.”
“The project would commence in March of 2024, with an estimated 12 to 18-month construction period, much like we have in phase I,” Phillips said.
In other business, council members also voted to declare a list of 13 city-owned vehicles and pieces of equipment as surplus. Council members approved an ordinance authorizing the items’ listing and sale on the internet auction site GovDeals.com.
Vehicles listed for sale include three Ford Explorers, valued from $2,000 to $5,000 each, and a fire truck valued at $8,000. Equipment listed includes several salt spreaders, a boat trailer and an asphalt heater, among other items. Hobart Arena’s old Homasote deck covering will also be listed for sale, valued at $1,000.
Council members also voted to approve an ordinance amending several sections of the city zoning code regarding manufacturing training facilities, self-storage facilities and solar-energy systems. Council members previously held a public hearing on the ordinance during their meeting held on Monday, Aug. 21.
Council members also approved an ordinance authorizing the acceptance of annual tax levies for the city of Troy and the Miami East School District, beginning Jan. 1 of fiscal year 2024.
Council members also heard announcements from director of public service and safety Patrick Titterington and council member Todd Severt. Trick or Treat night will be held on Thursday, Oct. 26 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Titterington said.
Council member Severt announced at-large council members’ quarterly meeting which will be held at the Troy-Hayner Cultural Center from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 16. The meeting will also feature free donuts, coffee and juice.
“It is an outreach,” Severt said. “We hope that people will attend.”
