Public Works wants bigger chunk of city budget for sidewalks, street material

Sean Rogers of Twehous Excavating uses a tamping machine to pack the chat over a new water main on Monroe Street. The Jefferson City Public Works Department is requesting nearly $1 million in increased funding for 2012. Photo by Julie Smith.

By Madeleine Leroux

Monday, August 29, 2011

Work on the proposed city budget for 2012 is under way, and one Jefferson City department is seeking a large increase in funding from past years.

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According to the proposed 2012 budget, the streets division of Public Works has requested roughly $3.7 million compared to $2.87 million in 2011 and $2.83 million in 2010. The majority of the increase comes from sidewalk programs and street materials.

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JCLifer 1 year, 9 months ago

As bad as the streets and sidewalks are, that isn't enough money. They need $5 million for the next 10 years or so just to get things back in decent shape since they have been allowed to rot and deteriorate over the past 15 years. Take the money out of Parks and Wreck's budget.

Gabrielle 1 year, 9 months ago

funny

RobHunterJohnson 1 year, 9 months ago

Where is his Safety glasses? It makes you wonder if he has steel toes on Frank? Rob

3blindmice 1 year, 9 months ago

not just repair but total lack of sidewalks even in older established parts of town. in part due to allowing the laws requiring sidewalks be built to be ignored for years. we should also be looking to tie bike lanes/sidewalks to the trail system. particularly from along the trail to business just off the trail. if you can convince people that the trail can be used for more than just exercise you can get them off the streets, onto bikes, and use the trail for short trips.

JCLifer 1 year, 9 months ago

No sidewalks in front of Schnucks either. Saw a guy in a wheelchair trying to make his way down Missouri Blvd in all the traffic- no sidewalks- what a shame.

wow 1 year, 9 months ago

It's a shame in the Capital of Missouri in 2011, the city government has to do a "power grab for money" for something that should have been happening as the city/county developed. This should tell the folks living here all these years, especially those "born and breed Jay-Bird Die hard's" so quick to defend the BS JC/Cole County leaders who've been in control...that these elected leaders have not been doing what they were suppose to be doing, which is making sure the city and the county infrastructure advanced to accommodate the modern needs of Jefferson City/County residents/visitors. There's no way this is suppose to be an issue in 2011. Regretfully, it's not just the older city/county or less expensive neighborhoods either. Look in the more upscale or newer more affordable areas....." there are no freakin sidewalks or street lights. Maybe this started in one or two older areas, but this should not have happened in the newer areas where family dwellings are. I mean a neighborhood is a group of houses intended for families and families do include parents and "kids" who need a place to safely walk around in their neighborhood without dodging traffic. So why are we discussing sidewalks being built? No wonder new business's haven't opened up here. The main route through the city...Mo. Blvd, Ellis Blvd, Stadium Blvd, every neighborhood West and East of the main downtown area are all sidewalkless! Why?

A $#!#@!#@! load of money got spent on that bike lane, somebody insists on building a tunnel in a flood zone, still others want to build a Convention Center in what is very close to a flood zone. Yet the "influential types" wanna ban Tattoo Parlors, Adult Shops, Bar's that stay open later than 1am, Lap Dances for consenting adult's, Gambling Establishments, etc, etc.. Even worse, these folks don't even wanna consider the idea of doing something to help entertain the young folks in our area. These are generators of revenue which could have been/can be used to finance necessary accommodations..... Again, no wonder very few new business's have settled /will settle in this area.

Honestly, we need more than sidewalks.... and for those who suggest "I stop complaining and get politically involved to change things. Well,here's my answer. I've brought this up to more than one of the city/county leaders...and the reply I've gotten has been....well, take a look around and you'll see the answer and attitude of your leaders. So,no I don't want to be part of that mess....I'll do what I can to help, but I cannot and won't go through getting elected (and that's if I get elected) to a city/county leadership position simply to be the lone forward, common sense thinking person trying to do something to advance this area for all the citizens, only to end up fighting the incumbent un-modern way!

Enough of my two cents...stay safe and have fun.

Gabrielle 1 year, 9 months ago

wow: ''Honestly, we need more than sidewalks'.....please continue.....its a nice way to start a paragraph - do finish that thought process.....

3bunnies 1 year, 9 months ago

Would Fan and Fave ya but there is no "button for that"

wow 1 year, 9 months ago

Petunia....perhaps you should re-read my earlier statement slowly...I'm sure you'll take note that I mentioned a lot more than just sidewalks. I mentioned " A $#!#@!#@! load of money got spent on that bike lane, somebody insists on building a tunnel in a flood zone, still others want to build a Convention Center in what is very close to a flood zone. Yet the "influential types" wanna ban Tattoo Parlors, Adult Shops, Bar's that stay open later than 1am, Lap Dances for consenting adult's, Gambling Establishments, etc, etc.. Even worse, these folks don't even wanna consider the idea of doing something to help entertain the young folks in our area. These are generators of revenue which could have been/can be used to finance necessary accommodations..... Again, no wonder very few new business's have settled /will settle in this area. Honestly, we need more than sidewalks". Did you miss that or are you just kidding around?

Gabrielle 1 year, 9 months ago

WOW! Perhaps you should re-read my request - I am sure you will take note that I requested you elaborate on "Honestly, we need more than sidewalks" - Yes, what you, wow, you think about the needs you identify. When you talk about 'A $#!#@!#@! load of money got spent on....' and 'the influential types......' you are not describing what you honestly identify beyond sidewalks. Two very different things. Now you tell me - did I miss that or am I just kidding around?

I'll gladly ask again: wow: ''Honestly, we need more than sidewalks'.....please continue.....its a nice way to start a paragraph - do finish that thought process.....

I await your response.

JCLifer 1 year, 9 months ago

We sure don't need any more bike paths, greenway trails, parks built and not maintained, etc.

Fix the streets. Build more sidewalks. Enforce the codes. Run the riff-raff out of town. Get tough on drug dealers. Get extremely tough on gangsters, shooters, assaulters, rapists, and burglers. Get the word out that this town won't tolerate and coddle criminals.

Oh, and this town needs some high wage, high skill JOBS. New Professionals Club- what a joke. We don't need any more lawyers and politicians. We need skilled workers and JOBS.

JCsleeper 1 year, 9 months ago

Might be cheaper to just pay a bunch of young professionals to live here.

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