City of Sparta scraps sidewalk project because of cost

To prevent the spending of too much money, the City of Sparta elected to stop their sidewalk project at this month’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen.

The project, which has been in the works since late 2021 to early 2022, will not fill the entire distance originally expected. What has already been completed, however, will stay.

Originally, the sidewalk would stretch across Bockman to Turntable Road, the State of Tennessee told the city, though, that it cost around $2.8 million to finish. After seeing some shortened projects and drafts, Mayor Lowery said it would be best to walk away from the project.

“Last thing I said was if the state would come in and fully fund everything, and us not pay anything, we might consider it,” said Mayor Lowery. “But they aren’t going to do that.”

The board voted to walk away from the project instead of continuing at the cost.

In other business, Dalton Wilson was approved and sworn in as a reserve firefighter. Barbara Anderson was added to the Historic Board. Mayor Lowery said, “She expressed an interest in it. I think she’ll be good at it - got a wealth of knowledge and great ideas.”

Usually, the city approves an Ordinance that amends the current year’s fiscal year budget. After the purchase of the Christpoint Church building, which will enter into the city’s hands later in the year, the comptroller recommended the city do it twice this year due to the purchase.

There were three other approvals from the board. A low bid was approved for park lights at the upcoming splash pad behind the YMCA. Gullett sludge removal was approved, which was a budgeted item. $8,573 was approved for Water Treatment Plant Flocculator Improvements as well.

The next regularly scheduled Sparta Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting will be 5 p.m., Feb. 5, at Sparta City Hall. All of the meetings are also livestreamed on the city’s YouTube channel at “Sparta TN Media.”