Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Council informed of work being done

Crews are working to beautify the city, according to Mary Godwin.

Godwin, the executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce, told the Prescott City Council, at its March meeting, trash is being picked up, weeds are being cleared out in the flower beds and the beautification crew is ready to start mowing and weedeating.

Jon Chadwell, executive director for the Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Office, followed, saying a lot is going on.

I had the opportunity to fly to Ft. Sill, Okla. in a C-130 and saw several of the troops from Arkansas, he said. They told us what they were going through and why they had to stay there for six days. On the way back, we got to fly in the cockpit. It was a treat and a special opportunity.

The Leadership class, he said, did the ropes course. They pushed themselves to do things they didnt think they could do.

Chadwell said the business in the garment building is now up to nine employees and is in production. The second business planned for the location should get started within the next month. It will make concrete products.

A grant for $78,000 was obtained to gravel 10 acres for product and fence the area as well, he said. The city will be doing the work as its part of the grant. Work should begin when it dries out.

Prescott Rubber, Inc., he said, is running test batches and sending them to its clients.

In addition, PRI has rented the old armory to store its stock.

Work on the street project should resume around the end of April, weather permitting, he said. I talked with Mike Marlar (project engineer). Hes still planning on meeting with the council and looking at the problem areas.

In discussing the home renovation program, Chadwell said the county is ahead of the city, but had two applicants kicked out by the state. This is because the state examines the applicants debt ratio to see if they can pay back the loan, if the house is to be rebuilt.

Those homes needing to be razed can be rebuilt for $80,000. Of this, $40,000 is a forgivable loan, while the rest is to be paid back at 1 percent over a 15-year period of time.

The problem, Chadwell said, is everyone who applied really needs it.

This was also Chadwells last meeting with the Council in his capacity with the EDO. He has accepted a similar job in Newport. Ive appreciated working with you this last five-and-a-half years, he said, and I encourage you to support economic development in Prescott.

Questions were raised about the rural water system. Perry Nelson, water superintendent, said most of the meters have been set on the south side of I-30 with people tying on to the system. Meters are also being set on the north side of I-30 on Highways 19 and 332.

Letters, he said, have been sent to customers telling them when they can tie on and get city water. Were starting to gather customers. We had several drop out after they signed up, but now we have more wanting to tie on.

Nelson said there is a program going on for low-middle income people. Those who qualify can get the water and septic systems installed.

Prescott Mayor Howard Taylor said he drove around town with Marlar, looking at the drainage problems. Marlar has developed a drainage plan, splitting the city into sections and doing a contour study to see the best way to improve drainage.

Taylor said some ditches need to be cleared out and the area concreted. Underground storage may also have to be developed to help alleviate the drainage situation.

The problem is money, he said. Im going to Washington, D.C., April 10-12 and hope to find some money there. This will cost about $3.9 million. We may have to do it piecemeal.

The Artesian Arts League, he said, has requested a long-term lease for the upstairs part of City Hall. But, he added, the building is being considered for the National Historic Register. We dont need to go through major renovation until we know the heritage status, and we might need it for something.

Peggy Lloyd, curator of the Depot Museum, said she has been working to get City Hall on the register as it is one of the few remaining buildings built by the Public Works Administration (PWA) still being used for its original purpose.