Barnesville eyes up to $750,000 CDBG for water, wastewater improvements; consultants chosen

City staff held multiple public hearings in 2018 to solicit input on a potential Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) grant of up to $750,000 to fund water and wastewater infrastructure work. Allen-Smith Consulting presented options and identified two candidate project areas: (1) extending work from Mill Street through First, Second, Third, Fourth, Jenkins, Jackson and Washington streets to tie previously improved areas together; or (2) focusing on the Bradley Circle and Gordon Road area.

At the Sept. 4 meeting councilors evaluated proposals and subsequently approved engaging Allen-Smith Consulting for CDBG grant writing and administration and Goodwyn Mills Cawood for CDBG engineering services. City Manager David K. Rose said multiple RFPs were sent to consultants and engineers as part of the selection process. The council recorded that prior CDBG projects had been closed out and that the comprehensive plan work would support future funding decisions.

The council did not commit project boundaries in the minutes; staff and consultants indicated the project area would be finalized during grant preparation and selection if funding is awarded.