Joy Fagan, who lives on West Perrin said any inconvenience she experienced during the repaving process was well worth it to see the finished product, including repaired sidewalks that kids and the handicapped can safely use.
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“I can’t tell you what it does for people when they do speak up and someone actually listens — and then they see action,” she said. “It’s just a relief.”
The program has repaired a total of 27 streets since the initiative’s launch last year, as part of a commitment made to Springfield voters with the passage of a tax levy two years ago.
“We told the people of Springfield that the city would commit a minimum of two million dollars toward improving neighborhood streets,” said Springfield City Manager Bryan Heck. “We are dedicated to the task of doing all we can to better the lives of our residents by improving neighborhoods and maintaining our infrastructure.”
After the 2018 program wrapped up, the city held public forums to hear feedback from residents to use when planning future projects.
Other streets that were part of this year’s program include but are not limited to — East Ward Street, Springmont Avenue, El Camino Drive, Vester Avenue, Hilltop Avenue, Tecumseh Avenue, Roberts Avenue, Parker Street and East Harding Road.
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Robert Dunn, who lives on East Harding is grateful that his neighbors spoke up. The stretch of the road between Limestone Street and Fountain Avenue is heavily traveled.
He said even though repaving a road may seem like a small thing — it’s a big deal for those who live there and drive it every day.
“The potholes were terrible. We tried to avoid it. Bust your tires, bend your rims,” he said. “It’s probably one of the nicest streets in Springfield now.”
The city already has a plan of what streets they’ll be repaving for the 2020-2022 Neighborhood Street Programs.
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