Grand Avenue underwent an overhaul last summer and now street repairs projects are being unveiled for the future of Laramie.
Earl Smith, public works director, said there are drainage issues at the Linford school. Smith said there are large ponds that form on the west side after precipitation events. He said the city would pay 70 percent of the cost of the underground storm water detention system. His report went on to outline the district paying for 50 percent of the roadway improvements and the school district to pay the other 50 percent. The project planned to be complete over the period of two seasons.
Andrea Summerville, ward one representative, said the project design leaves half a block of Johnson street that will not be paved. She said that she hopes to find additional funds to complete the street.
“This seems like, not a good face for the community,” Summerville said. “Driving your kids to school and you drop in the dirt road.”
Smith said there are still many opportunities for improvement as the budget is laid out. The public works director said he would prioritize different streets in the future.
Joe Shumway, ward two representative, said he has witnessed the drainage issues first hand when his kids would come back home from the Linford school with shoes too muddy to come inside with.
“For people in ward one, you only have two more years to take pictures of lake Belmont and hold off on buying your kids new shoes,” Shumway said.
Ed Goetz, district manager for the Albany county school district, said that he would be looking to address the paving and drainage issues in cooperation with the city council.
The motion to approve a memorandum of understanding between the city of Laramie and the Albany county school district and authorize the mayor and director to sign passed with a nine to zero vote in its favor.
