After close to two decades of discussion and several months of maybes, McMinnville officials could make a final decision Tuesday about the fate of N. Chancery Street — to widen or just resurface.
Stating he would not divulge any specific details about land acquisition negotiations until he had a chance to share that information with board members, city administrator David Rutherford says it’s time for a final answer
“I think it is time to make a decision,” he said. “It’s up to the board, but the widening takes 210 days by the contract. If we wait much longer, we will have pushed paving into January of next year. You can’t pave in winter. We need to make a decision and move forward, with either widening or resurfacing.”
In November, officials voted to move forward with widening. The project would add a sidewalk, curb and turning lane from Walmart to Chancery Street.
Officials went with Highways Inc. and a bid of almost $1 million, which does not include an additional $400,000 estimated for legal fees, surveys, land acquisition, etc.
The street has remained in bumpy limbo since that time as officials attempted negotiations, through the city’s legal counsel and realtor Bobby Kirby, with property owners for the land needed to widen.
If officials decide not to widen, the street will be top coat paved and remain two lanes using what remains in the grants for water and sewer projects. Any extra cost will have to be paid by the city.
A joint meeting of the Street and Sanitation Committee and Finance Committee will be held at 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday. Meetings are held on the second floor of city hall.
North Chancery widening update
