Rainey advocates sidewalk repair


Evans wonders about status of Chavasse Avenue project

Henderson City Council member Mike Rainey expressed concern during Monday night’s meeting over city sidewalks that need “improving and repairing”.

He noted the Chestnut Street area as a place where he said that a “number of people have fallen” and brought it to his attention.

Rainey asked that Assistant City Manager Frank Frazier and the city staff “find money somewhere” to improve sidewalks, as well as city curbs and gutters.

Council member Lonnie Davis added that sidewalks should be put down in some areas.

Many areas of the city lack sidewalks.

Member Mary Emma Evans reminded the council that “a few years ago we talked about Chavasse Avenue.” She said that she was still watching people walk across the tracks.

Frazier told Evans and the council that the city had done everything it was supposed to do with acquiring the right-of-way for the pedestrian renovation project. He said that he has “encouraged the state” to proceed, and that it is in their “queue to do”.

The assistant city manager said that the construction was to have begun this summer.

“Is it fair for us to start a new sidewalk without finishing Chavasse?” Evans asked members.

Frazier stated that he talks to the state fairly regularly. He said that a letter “pushing them to proceed” would be appropriate.

Member Garry Daeke asked city staff present at the meeting to write a letter and for the city manager to update the council.

Rainey ended the discussion by recalling for the council that there was a policy in place where the landowner was asked to be responsible for half of the cost of repairing the sidewalk adjacent to their property. He said he thought that if property owners have sidewalks “enhance” their property that it would be reasonable to ask them.