This past year, the Belfast City Council has been in discussion about conducting an infrastructure improvement project for the entire length of Wight Street and for the adjacent section of Congress Street. Now, with funding coverage from three different sources, the project is possible.
At this time, the total project budget is estimated at about $2,555,000. The three funding sources that the City will utilize to pay for the project includes a $690,000 Community Development Block Grant Public Infrastructure Grant, a $972,000 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development earmark and $893,000 in funding from the Wight Street Affordable Housing Tax Increment Financing District. These funding sources ensure that the project is completely covered without the need for any additional tax revenue to come from the City of Belfast.
Following the award of the a $690,000 Community Development Block Grant Public Infrastructure Grant, the Belfast City Council held a work session on June 13th 2022 with Olver Associates Engineer Mandy Olver to discuss improvements for Wight Street including reconstructing its road base, installing a sidewalk, installing storm drainage, installing curbing, installing pedestrian crossings, installing a bicycle lane, and incorporating traffic calming measures. The primary improvement that is being considered for Congress Street is an extension of the sewer line.
An important aspect of the project is the increased pedestrian activity that will accompany the completion of the project. The City has already seen an uptick in pedestrian activity as a result of previous affordable housing developments and improvement projects in the City, and the activity is projected to increase as new housing development projects continue into the future. The Belfast City Council recognizes the importance of pedestrian activity in the City, and intends on doing everything that they can to ensure the accessibility and safety of pedestrians in Belfast.
As a critical part of the initiation of this project, the Belfast City Council is holding a Public Listening Session on Monday, June 27th, 2022, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm, at the Waldo County Shrine Club, located at 20 Northport Avenue in Belfast as an opportunity for the public to provide feedback, suggestions, comments, and other input regarding the proposed project. No registration is required to attend the session, and the City encourages the public to bring themselves as well as any other interested parties to participate.
If anyone has comments or questions regarding the infrastructure project, they are encouraged to contact Economic Development Director Kittredge via mail at: City of Belfast, Belfast City Hall, 131 Church Street, Belfast, Maine 04915, via email at: economicdevelopment@cityofbelfast.org, or via phone at (207) 338-3370, extension 116
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