Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 3, 1993 TAG: 9303030384
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
JUMP-START CITY PROJECTS ARE READY
Just in case Congress approves President Clinton's short-term economic-stimulus package, Roanoke is ready to begin work on a dozen projects that could create 426 jobs.City officials have not been told the amount of federal funds they can expect to receive.
But they have compiled a list of transportation and community-development projects that are estimated to cost $12.8 million.
The projects include $6 million for replacing bridges and $1 million for neighborhood storm drains.
Federal officials have suggested that cities prepare lists of projects that could begin within 90 days after Clinton's stimulus package is approved.
Congressional leaders say they hope to complete work on the plan quickly, perhaps by the end of the month.
Clinton's program would provide nearly $10 billion in immediate one-time spending for community development, summer youth employment, transportation and waste-water treatment projects.
All of the money would be passed through existing programs to help ensure that all of the jobs could be created within 90 days of financial action by Congress.
Clinton wants the stimulus program to have am immediate impact. He hopes to create 500,000 jobs nationwide.
"Nobody has turned the faucet on yet. No one knows what the outcome will be," said Marie Pontius, grants monitor for the city.
Acting City Finance Director James Grisso said the city has not received any word on what to expect. "We read and hear news reports, but there has been nothing official," he said.
Roanoke County Finance Director Diane Hyatt said the county has not prepared a list of projects because it receives only a small amount of federal money, mainly for social services.
If funds become available, she said, there are projects in the county's capital-improvement program that could be financed.
Hyatt said the county won't benefit as much from the stimulus program as cities would because the state builds and maintains capital projects in the counties.
About two-thirds of Roanoke's ready-to-go projects are related to streets and transportation.
Salem officials could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Clinton's short-term program apparently won't provide funds for the expansion of the regional sewage-treatment plant because the city is not ready to begin work immediately on the $45 million project.
Even if the city were ready, it apparently would be eligible only for loans - not grants - that would have to be repaid. As part of the economic-stimulus package, Clinton has proposed phasing out sewer-construction grants.
The Roanoke Valley also could receive more money for the Head Start program and summer jobs for disadvantaged youngsters. Clinton's plan includes an additional $1 billion for summer jobs and $500 million for Head Start.
\ ROANOKE READY-TO-GO PROJECTS\ PROJECTS, COST AND JOBS THAT WOULD BE CREATED:\ \ Bridge maintenance and replacement illion 100\ Neighborhood storm drains $1 million 67\ Citywide street curbs, gutters and sidewalks $750,000 50\ New traffic signals at 12 intersections $1 million 30\ Luck Avenue storm drain project $500,000 33\ Salem Avenue streetscape around the Dominion Tower $300,000 20\ Citywide tree planting to replace\ trees removed by city crews $100,000 7\ Handicapped access improvements $300,000 20\ Hotel Roanoke renovation $1.2 million 40\ Caru Apartments and Total Action\ Against Poverty day-care center $160,000 10\ Franklin Road/Elm Avenue mixed-income housing $1.2 million 35\ Parks restroom improvements\ (handicapped accessibility) $100,000 7\ Gainsboro professional park $135,000 7