(Beaver Dam) Mayor Becky Glewen says changes in a state roads grant helped Beaver Dam secure one million-dollars to reconstruct South Spring Street. The city was awarded the Community Development Block Grant last week to overhaul Spring from Mill Street to Judson Drive.
The project has an estimated price tag of $1.7-to-$1.9-million dollars meaning up to $900-thousand dollars of tax levy money will be needed. Underground infrastructure is estimated to cost another $1.5-to-$1.7-million dollars, which is being paid through the utility department with funds collected through fees.
The city qualified for the state grant because of changes in the application process. Prior to the changes, an entire municipality had to qualify as low-income to be eligible for the grant. Beaver Dam did not meet those qualifications. Last year, the rules changed to allow particular streets to become “income qualified.”
Glewen says they needed income information from residents on South Spring Street to determine if it would be a qualifying street. Forms were initially mailed to residents and while they did receive some forms back, it was not enough. Glewen then went door-to-door to get the information.
The reconstruction of South Spring was already in the city’s five-year streets plan, tentatively slated for 2021, but is now expected to move up to next year. No word yet if the project would have to be completed over two construction seasons.
