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Pleasantville staff: DOT extensions give time to fill funding gaps on multiple street projects
Summary
City staff told council several DOT-funded projects are designed but awarded deadlines were extended by six months to May 2025 so Pleasantville can secure local matching funds; staff said grants often cover only part of project costs and the city may use loans or bond ordinances to cover shortfalls.
City staff presented a quarterly bid report and said multiple transportation projects are substantially complete or designed but awaiting local funding to proceed.
Staff said projects along Decatur Avenue, Downey Road phase 1 and Park Avenue, and Transit Village streetscape work are at or near closeout. Several 2023 DOT grants—including Ridgewood Avenue improvements and bike-path lighting from Decatur to Milan—were designed but received six-month extensions from the state Department of Transportation, moving contract award windows into May 2025. The presenter confirmed the DOT provided approximately $263,000 toward the bike-path lighting but said the city must determine whether to hardwire lights or use solar based on nearby power availability.
The presenter explained many grants applied for in 2022 (for 2023 awards) do not fully fund final construction costs. When a DOT grant covers 80% of cost, the city must budget and secure the remaining 20% or pursue loans (iBank/infrastructure trust) or bond ordinances to cover shortfalls. Staff said the DOT recommended extensions to allow the city time to secure those balances before advertising projects.
Council members asked for a project-by-project breakdown of the remaining local obligation. The presenter agreed to circulate a detailed funding shortfall list through administration and to follow up on the park project where bids had been rejected twice and subsequent negotiated quotes were presented to administration.
The discussion closed with staff noting several projects have long award windows (some into 2026) and that no urgent action is required on those items until funding is secured.
