by Bradley Parsons
Staff Writer
After a roller coaster ride through City Council committees last week, it looks like funding for Bay Street improvements will get a Council vote tonight.
The bill, filed at Mayor John Peyton’s request, designates $800,000 to pay to widen sidewalks, install historic lights and landscape Bay Street, envisioned as downtown’s premier entertainment corridor come Super Bowl time. The bill was alternately approved, deferred and amended by three Council committees last week, causing some to worry that the bill might not be ready for tonight’s Council meeting.
The City’s streets and drainage chief, Ed Hall, has said that if the Council doesn’t approve funding tonight, he doubted the project could be finished in time for the Super Bowl.
Council member Dan Davis, a committee chairman who is holding the bill from the Council’s agenda, said Monday that he would likely allow it to be heard at tonight’s meeting. He said most of his questions on the bill had been answered.
“I think we’re pretty much good to go,” said Davis.
He said he still questions whether the City can “hit the ground running” as promised with construction. If the Council approves funding tonight, Hall said construction could start by the end of June. Hall said a June start was essential to finish the project in time for the game, a priority for the mayor’s office.
Davis said he understood the project’s importance, but said he wouldn’t rush the bill through to satisfy a Super Bowl schedule.
“Sure, I agree this is a worthwhile project, but it has to be done right. If you’re rushing it, and construction plans are still up in the air then it doesn’t sound like they have all their ducks in a row,” he said.