Published: May 06, 2009 10:27 pm      

Improvements coming to Louisa

City receiving million-plus in funding

LOUISA — From water and sewer to the restrooms at the city pool, Louisa will soon benefit from economic stimulus funding in a variety of ways, according to Mayor Teddy Preston.

The mayor said he had initially applied for $1.5 million to pay for improvement and expansion of the existing water and sewer system, resulting in $500,000 for water and sewer work in the Meadowbrook and Berg subdivisions.

Preston was then informed the city qualifies for $1,150,000 for water and sewer expansion and improvement, in addition to $175,000 in coal severance funding. The money, he said, will be used for a variety of purposes.

“We will spend $100,000 on parks and recreation,” the mayor explained, adding sidewalk beautification, sidewalk repairs and street patching will also be paid for with the funding.

“We’re now using part of it to renovate the pool and the restrooms and showers,” Preston said, adding the city will also replace some of the pool’s aging components and add new features to the municipal pool.

Some of the old concrete at the pool will also be replaced, he said, and the pool is expected to be ready for a scheduled May 31 opening.

City employees have also begun restoration and renovation at the gazebo in Louisa’s Main Street Park.

“It’s almost completely done,” Preston said.

Obtaining the funds required a lot of effort, he said, with considerable paperwork still required from city hall. The mayor credited State Rep. Rocky Adkins, D-Sandy Hook, and Kentucky Engineering for their assistance in obtaining the stimulus funds.

In addition to the pool, park and pipe work, Preston said Louisa continues to experience economic growth including the recent opening of a Tractor Supply store, anew bank, a strip mall under construction behind the city’s new Wal-Mart, Rocky Top Pizza coming to the corner of Madison Avenue, and Ricky Skaggs Boulevard, an auto parts store near completion.

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2651.