By Denise Dick

denise_dick@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

The city’s board of control approved contracts for street improvements and a Phelps Street project downtown.

The board – Mayor John A. McNally, Law Director Martin Hume and Finance Director David Bozanich – on Wednesday awarded a $1.2 million contract to Shelly & Sands of Austintown for infrastructure and safety improvements.

The project includes Wellington Avenue from Interstate 680 to Belle Vista Avenue on the West Side; Poland Avenue between Gibson and Jones roads on the South Side; McGuffey Road from Lansdowne Boulevard to Liberty Street on the East Side; Gypsy Lane from Belmont to Fifth Avenue on the North Side; and traffic signal upgrades.

The work is expected to begin June 1 and be finished Sept. 1.

The board also approved a $318,790 contract for Murphy Contracting Co. of Youngstown for the Phelps Street electrical relocation project.

Charles Shasho, deputy director of public works, said the project is expected to start by June.

“There will be no impact on Phelps Street,” he said, referring to closure.

It’s part of a project to replace an old sewer line there that started more than three years ago. It stopped when workers discovered underground AT&T wires and telephone conduits in the path of the sewer line.

The board also approved a multiyear contract with Utility Service Co. of Atlanta to manage and maintain the city’s water tanks.

Earlier this month, city council approved legislation authorizing the board to hire the company.

The work is expected to cost $750,000 the first year because of work required on two water tanks.

The board also approved an agreement with the YMCA to provide up to $500,000 in wastewater and water funds for improvements at the downtown Y on North Champion Street.

The project investment is expected to be about $5 million, and the YMCA plans to retain 130 employees. The work includes about $900,000 in water and wastewater improvements.