
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, February 23, 1995                   TAG: 9503030035
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: E-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: CHARLES STEBBINS
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

VINTON TRIES AGAIN FOR GRANT

For the third and last time, the Town of Vinton is headed toward seeking a federal grant to improve the Midway community, an area with old utilities, many old houses and a flooding problem.

"I won't say we won't ever apply again," said Vinton Town Manager Clay Goodman. "But something has go to be done about the water and sewer lines."

On Tuesday, Vinton councilmen considered an application for a Community Block Grant Development to work on problems with flooding and the area's sewer and water lines, streets and housing.

Councilmen did not formally approve the application but indications are that they will at their March 7 meeting. They have accepted a $15,000 grant for planning this project, have authorized all the necessary studies and held two public hearings.

The whole job is expected to cost about $1.4 million with the town putting up about $250,000, according to tentative figures compiled by Randy Austin, a consultant helping the town with the application.

Goodman said that if the application is denied this time the town will make what improvements to Midway - on both sides of Eighth Street, north of Tinker Avenue - it can with local money. The first priority, he said, would be on water lines which are old, small and lacking in pressure.

Grant money, if approved, would come from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.

Austin said Vinton was rejected for the grant two times before because Midway does not have an "imminent threat" to the public health that some other communities do.

In another action, Town Council approved an appropriation of $2,500 to help purchase new playground equipment for the Roland E. Cook Elementary School.

The school's PTA has raised about $11,000 toward a total cost of about $28,000. Vinton was asked to contribute $5,000 but councilmen said $2,500 was all that is available now. However, they said they will attempt to find more when they draw up the 1995-96 fiscal budget this spring.

As school delegation, headed by Principal Deedie Kagey, said the playground would be open to the whole community.

by CNB