City council agrees on area for improvement program

The city is seeking state money to help with the improvements.
By VIRGINIA ROSS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- At a public meeting this week, city council agreed to target the lower East Side for a face lift.
The Elm Street Program, funded by the state, provides money for infrastructure, parks, streetscapes and exterior building improvements in neighborhoods that are located near revitalized downtowns and that are a mix of residential and commercial buildings.
Earlier this year, council agreed to apply for the grant, which is available through the state Department of Community and Economic Development, but needed to designate a specific area of the city for consideration. The city could receive $50,000 the first year of the four-year program.
The target area must be within a half-mile from the edge of the downtown area. Council had considered focusing on the lower North Hill section of the city, but agreed unanimously to focus on East Washington Street from downtown to Butler Avenue.
Tammi Gibson, city business administrator, said if the application is approved, work could begin next year once the funds were released.
Other matters
In other action, council agreed to pay Graziani Construction Inc. of New Castle $286,000 to complete the Old Big Run and Scott Street Sanitary Sewer Replacement project. Graziani submitted the lowest bid for the project.
Council also agreed to give the New Castle Girl's Softball Organization $1,000. The organization, citing financial difficulties during the 2004-05 seasons, asked for council's financial assistance earlier this year.