McMinnville officials are moving forward with a plan to begin paving city streets this summer. The city is in the process of borrowing $2 million.
By resolution, the city will “borrow funds and incur indebtedness in the principal amount not to exceed $2 million by obtaining a loan from the Public Building Authority of the city of Clarksville.”
“It sounds like we are borrowing money from the city of Clarksville,” said Vice Mayor Everett Brock.
The resolution was passed unanimously 6-0 with McMinnville Mayor Norman Rone, Brock and Aldermen Jimmy Haley, Billy Wood, Clair Cochran and Junior Medley voting for the measure. Alderman Rick Barnes was absent.
Funds will be used to begin paving 51 streets at a total cost of $2.1 million. Topping the list are Ebonwood Street, Morningside Drive, Myers Lane, June Street, George Huggins Drive, Creamery Street, Henegar Street, Bluff Street, Van Buren Street and DeKalb Street.
“As of right now, the list has not changed,” said Public Works assistant director Brad Hennessee.
Public Works generated the list using a street index to catalog streets from best to worst. It is estimated it would cost approximately $45 million to pave all 288 city streets.
The city also has $600,000 in STP (Surface Transportation Program) funds it can use on city streets, if the street meets the guidelines as a collector street. Collector streets are those that have high-volume traffic and are not considered a state or federal route.
Officials had hoped to use the extra funds to pave some of those on the list or pave more than 51 streets. However, none of the streets fit the guidelines.
“After looking at the list, it doesn’t appear any of them fit the guidelines,” said Hennessee. “STP generates a map that designates streets where the funding can be used. After looking at that map and comparing it to our list, it does not appear any of them are designated as STP streets.”
Public Works will begin the process of petitioning STP to include some of the streets it believes fit the criteria.
“I think we have time to do that,” said Hennessee.
After bids are received and the contract awarded, paving could begin this summer.