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| By Paula Canning Staff Writer CHICOPEE With construction along the roadways and sidewalks of the city's Orchard Street neighborhood moving forward, Mayor Richard Goyette visited the area last Thursday to review the extensive improvements and comment on how important the projects are to the city. "The new roadways and sidewalks will not only make travel easier for drivers and pedestrians, but will also help beautify the neighborhood," said Goyette. "I am quite pleased that the city is able to use federal funds for these local public works projects." The improvements, which include reconstruction work on Grape Street, Ames Avenue, Orchard Street, Cyman Drive, Ellerton Street, along with several other nearby streets, began in July and was funded though a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). The total cost for the improvements, which includes road reconstruction and repaving, installation of new sidewalks and curbs, and the planting of new street trees, totals $925,000, according to Goyette. Calling the road and sidewalk construction "fantastic projects," Goyette spoke on the city's commitment to funding these type of roadway improvements. "Every year we spend more than $2 million on neighborhood improvement projects," he said citing last year's improvements to the Aldenville area, and the work done in the Chicopee Falls section of the city during the previous year. He added that the city will continue its efforts into the future to "beautify the city." Goyette explained that the city tries to utilize the CDBG funds to "go into one area and really make an impact," instead of dispersing the funds to complete a variety of smaller projects. "We try to really revitalize one neighborhood instead of spacing it out," he said. Jeanne Kidwell, director of Community Development, said, "Our office funds projects like these in order to help support and strengthen neighborhoods throughout the city of Chicopee. " Kidwell explained that the CDBG is given to the city on an annual basis, and can be utilized in areas of the city that qualify as an eligible target in regards to income surveys. Public Works Superintendent Stanley Kulig, whose department was responsible for designing and monitoring the construction and putting the bid package for the construction together, said that 90 percent of the project is expected to be completed by the end of construction season, and that the entire project should be completed by June of 2006. Goyette praised the city's Engineering and Public Works Departments, as well as the Ludlow-based contractor, Gomes Construction, for their dedication to the project. |