LORDSTOWN Sidewalk funds to be sought

The village must provide 20 percent, or about $95,000, for the project.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
LORDSTOWN -- Village officials are seeking state grant money for beautification and improved safety in the center of town.
Council has approved legislation authorizing Ron Barnhart, planning and zoning administrator, to apply for an Issue 2 grant to install sidewalks.
Sidewalks will run along the south side of Salt Springs Road from state Route 45 to Lydia Drive; on the north side of Salt Springs from state Route 45 to the end of the school property; and on the south side of Route 45 from Salt Springs to the Dairy Queen.
The paths would connect to another sidewalk along school property, extending from Helmick Drive.
The village's portion of the cost is $95,000 and includes engineering. The total project cost is estimated at $340,000, with $245,000 requested in grant money.
The cost includes curb installation on both sides of the street where the sidewalks are added, said Mayor Arno Hill.
Idea revisited: Sidewalks in the village center have been talked about in the past, but never materialized.
"It's reared up and down several times," Hill said.
Council President Richard Biggs said some council members opposed sidewalks in the past because of the cost.
"We want to make the center of town more appealing," Biggs said.
The Route 45/Salt Springs intersection has been widened and improvements have been made at nearby Founders Park to improve the look of the village's center.
In 2000, an old schoolhouse was moved from private property into the park and restored by the village historical society.
Holiday festivities are conducted regularly in Founders Park.
The sidewalks would also provide an easy path to stores, Dairy Queen, schools and the park for residents of Lydia Drive.
"We were concerned about safety with no sidewalks there," Biggs said.
The village won't learn until fall if the project has been approved. If approved, work would likely begin the following spring.