Mayor asks RDC to advertise $250,000 contribution toward Johnson Avenue sidewalks

The mayor told the Franklin City Redevelopment Commission on March 18 that the city has an opportunity to install sidewalks on Johnson Avenue to support neighborhood stabilization and connectivity and asked the RDC to advertise a resolution for a contribution.

He described the overall project as roughly $450,000 and said the RDC and the Board of Works would share costs. "So long story short, we have an opportunity to do sidewalks down Johnson Avenue ... my goal is this year to do the $450,000 project and split it with the RDC and the Board of Works," the mayor said. He and staff said engineering estimates from Matt put the work around $222,230 per side but that change orders could raise costs, so a $250,000 RDC allocation was the planned ask.

Why it matters: Mayor and RDC members framed the project as part of a broader effort to revitalize blocks where the city has already invested in housing rehabilitation and code enforcement; he noted Habitat for Humanity and other private activity in the area and said the sidewalks would allow safer access to a nearby park.

Outcome and next steps: Board members expressed general agreement and asked Ellen to prepare the advertising language for a resolution to be considered at the next RDC meeting. No formal appropriation was made on March 18.