Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

First Phase Near Completion

In as little as two or three weeks, the first part of Prescott's water and sewer project could be completed.

Crews from G&S Construction of Arkadelphia have been working along Ron Harrod Blvd., where they are laying 4,000 feet of 12-inch water main.

G&S is handling the Arkansas Industrial Development Commission's portion of the project.

According to Jim Sharkey, executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Office, this segment is funded by the state through an AIDC economic infrastructure grant.

The portion funded by the Economic Development Administration (EDA), a federal agency, will be built by 4M Construction.

The EDA's grant totalled $692,000, with the city's part being about $260,000 in matching funds.

Work currently being done by G&S is being inspected by Prescott water superintendent Perry Nelson, who has been on-site almost daily.

Prescott Mayor Howard Taylor said crews with 4M were supposed to break ground Monday, June 3, near the water treatment plant, but didn't.

This company will be boring underneath Interstate-30 so the city can provide water to the Rip Griffin Truck/Travel Center, once it has been built.

Sharkey said some clearing has been done along the Highway 19 right of ways. Additional boring will be done below Hwy. 19 near the Texaco station.

"Boring is the expensive and time consuming part," Sharkey said. "It will take 30 to 45 days to do the EDA part." This will put the project's completion in late summer or early fall.

Neither Sharkey nor Taylor have been in contact with representatives with Rip Griffin's. However, both said everything is still on go with this project.

"Their target is to start construction next spring," Sharkey said. "We went ahead with our plans to have service there in late summer or early fall in case construction on two other Rip Griffin projects are completed early. If they are, they could do the preliminary ground preparation in the fall. They haven't said anything either way."

Taylor said representatives from Griffin would most likely call this fall to let Prescott's leaders know what the company will be doing.

In addition, Taylor said the city is in the process of designing an electrical system for the area annexed into the city limits. Entergy, formerly known as Arkansas Power and Light Co., is doing a study of its equip ment.

Taylor said the city is also waiting on easements because it will be necessary to install new power lines in some areas. The easements, he said, should be ready to sign later this week.

Those residents wanting cable television in the annexed region will have to wait until the city completes the purchase of equipment from Entergy. Taylor said cable will be strung along city-owned power lines.

The new water/sewer system was officially dedicated with groundbreaking ceremonies on May 15, with representatives of the lending agencies on hand.