Work on Congress, Pine Streets to Continue

Housing rehabilitation in the Congress Street area, more revitalization efforts on Pine Street and continued work on Downtown Bradford Gateway improvements are among the projects Bradford would like to take on with $300,000 in grant money.

Office of Community and Economic Development Executive Director Sara Andrews on Tuesday held the second of two public hearings on proposed activities for 2013 Community Development Block Grant money.

$40,000 would be used with HOME funds to rehabilitate single family homes in the Congress Street area. Andrews said about 20 property owners are on the waiting list.

$100,000 would go toward street renovation, curbs, sidewalks and street lighting on Pine Street.

Andrews said she is pleased with the project so far.

"It's a great-looking improvement," she said.

$40,000 would go toward the gateway improvements on Forman, Elm and Main streets. This includes engineering costs. She said directional signs that include 10 businesses should be up soon.

$26,000 is earmarked for code enforcement. Andrews noted that with the money made available from the general obligation bond, the city was able to demolish three houses and, without that money, they would have had to wait until the CDBG money was approved.

"We're already ahead of the game," she said.

You can listen to the hearing here.

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