Girard council to discuss lake dam

GIRARD -- City council will discuss the possible fate of the Girard Lakes dam during its meeting at 7 p.m. Monday.
City officials have been considering whether to breach or to rebuild the 85-year-old dam because of its deteriorating condition.
The city bought the dam along with the lakes property near McKinley Heights in 1999.
"It's become a white elephant," Mayor James Melfi said. "The debate is whether to tear it down or rebuild it."
Costs
He said the dam would cost an estimated $10 million to $12 million to rebuild, but only $3.2 million to breach.
One proposed plan would lower the dam by 12 feet, reducing the water level in the Lower Girard Lake.
The city has obtained a $500,000 federal grant for the dam.
"But we obviously need more to do any of the things we've talked about," Melfi said.
Council also will discuss the possible sale of a portion of Liberty Park to the Girard City School District as a potential site for a new high school building.
The park site is one of two being considered by the school district, which wants to replace the 80-year-old facility on Ward Avenue by the fall of 2008.