The signing of contracts to finance more than $1 million through grants and a loan has paved the way for a major streets, park and a school campus improvement project in the southwest sector of Richfield.
The city received a $500,000 grant and a $500,000 loan from the Utah Community Impact Board. The loan was obtained at 3 percent interest, payable over 25 years.The financial clincher for the project was a $40,000 grant from Sevier County, which will provide money needed under a stipulation from the CIB to repay that loan. The county money will be invested so the interest will pay the loan payments.
City officials noted that the money from the county will be spent outside the city limits and is specifically designated for replacing a bridge over the Sevier Valley Canal. The project ultimately would have been completed by the county anyway. The city, in turn, will pave a road of a distance of about 80 feet west of the bridge that will connect with the new Paiute ATV trail.
More than $100,000 will be contributed by the Sevier Valley Applied Technology Center. Part of the project will include a sprinkling system on the campus and the availability of city-owned water from the Sevier Valley Canal.
Other phases of the project will include improvements to the road on 530 South from 500 West to the north entrance of the Richfield Rotary Park; constructing a new road from the south I-70 access road north along the west side of the Rotary Park; a new road along the side of the canal to the Tech at about 800 West and 200 South; and a sports field complex southwest of the Tech.
City council members conclude that the addition and improvement of roads to the Rotary Park area will relieve traffic pressure on 800 South because the other routes can be used. Speed bumps were placed on the street last year to slow down traffic but were recently removed. The park is used only during the summer months.
A contract for $127,000 has been signed with Jones and DeMille Engineering of Richfield to design and engineer the project.
In other action, the City Council has approved a temporary permit for culinary water use to compact soil at the location of a new supermarket to be built at 750 N. Main St. The soil compaction was needed to meet building specifications.
About 2 million gallons of water from fire hydrants will be used over a 45-day period.
Roger Terry of Morgan, who will own the new store, requested that the council waive building-permit, water and sewer connection fees as well as assist in site development by use of city equipment or providing fill soil. The council declined to approve the proposal when it was presented, adding that the proposal it will be considered.
The new store will include 30,000 square feet with 140 parking stalls surrounding the building, according to Carl Pitt, financial specialist with Associated Food Stores. He projected building construction will require about four months, with July 4 being targeted as the opening date for the new store.