‘Sidewalk to the Future’ Phase II Update

Update

The El Dorado Springs Chamber of Commerce has collected just over $10,000 in pledges of the $44,000 needed for the “Sidewalk to the Future” Phase Two Project. Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jackson Tough mentioned, “We have a great start on collecting pledge signatures! Our deadline to have $44,000 pledged is Dec. 28 and the funds are then due next spring, by April 28. Of course we would rather be at the goal sooner than later. We report the pledge totals to the grant award committee and that gives El Dorado Springs leverage for the grant award. The sooner we get to the goal of $44,000 the more serious they know we are about improving our community. I believe this will help influence El Dorado Springs’ chances of getting the award. To get to the goal though, we need the community to support this project…We need you.”   

More Information

Our children need safe routes to school and activities. The lack of sidewalks on an already narrow Park Street forces children to walk very near high volumes of traffic. This project also allows efficient and safe connections for citizens between home, school, work, recreation and retail destinations.

Resources such as sidewalks can be a lifeline especially for older adults, low-income households and people with disabilities.  For those without traditional transportation it offers access to medical facilities including our hospital, dentists, an optometrist, chiropractor, nursing home and three clinics. It offers connection to the local food pantry plus churches, residential areas north and south of U.S. Hwy. 54 and more.

The Details

The federal grant pays 80% of the project and 20% will come from local entities. The City agreed to apply with the stipulation that the community fund half of that 20% (approximately $44,000) from the business community, citizens and other resources. Pledge commitment deadline is Dec. 28. If the grant is not awarded to the project funds will be returned.  Pledges should be fulfilled by April 28, 2017, (once the grant is awarded).

The sidewalk is anticipated to be constructed on Park Street, north from the school to get children safely across the large culvert just north of Fields Boulevard, joining a length of sidewalk at Joe Davis Street. The south section begins at the south end of the public school on Park Street to U.S. Hwy. 54 and a pedestrian crossing, continuing south to Hospital Road, then east on Hospital Road to Hwy. 32. Because of the nature of such projects figures, measurements, locations, etc are approximations.

Your Support of Community Betterment

Chamber Director Jackson Tough commented “We need the support of the community to bring this project to fruition. The approval for Phase One has been tremendous and makes a huge difference in our town’s first impression!  We know folks agree this project is just as important (possibly more so for our children) and will be a very worthwhile benefit to our community. This project will become a reality only because of support from generous community members. We thank the many people that continue supporting projects that make El Dorado Springs a better place to live, work and raise a family.”

A Pledge Form with more information, pictures and map is available at www.ElDoradoSpringsChamber.com or www.facebook.com/ElDoradoSpringsChamber  and at the Chamber office, 1303 South Hwy. 32 (at Hwy 54). If you have questions regarding Phase Two of the “Sidewalk to the Future” project contact the El Dorado Springs Chamber of Commerce (876-4154) or the city of El Dorado Springs (876-2521).