The City of Houston will receive a $248,688 grant to make further transportation improvements near the Houston School District.
Officials learned during Monday’s city council meeting that the community had been awarded the federal funds through the “Safe Routes to Schools” program for additional sidewalk work near the Houston School District campus.
The funds are federal dollars designated for increasing the safety of the children in grades K-8 to walk, bike and wheel to school and are administered through the highway safety division of the Missouri Department of Transportation.
City Administrator Larry Sutton said engineering work will begin soon.
The targeted areas are: Bryan Street to Highway 17; Ozark to Airport Road; and Chestnut to Hamrick.
The work follows other projects completed last year around the school campus. Sutton noted the city is not required to expend any of its funds as part of the grant. Licking also received funds. About $28 million was sought in Missouri. About $5 million was available.
In other matters, council members:
—Discussed providing $6,250 to the Houston Area Chamber of Commerce to lease ball fields. Another $5,750 is earmarked for business development.
—Learned that Missouri had notified the city that Walgreen’s has applied for a liquor license as part of its purchase of Forbes’ Pharmacy on Grand Avenue in Houston.
—Heard recognition for the city’s grounds department for completing training as part of the “Show-Me Road Scholar Program,” which is offered at the Missouri University of Science and Technology at Rolla. Heath Pickerill, director of the Missouri Local Technical Assistance Program, made the presentation to Joe Kirkman, Travis Campbell and Dale Adey. The goal is to enhance the skills of all personnel involved in local transportation in the state.