Jonesboro Council Approves Bid For Trail, OKs Fiber Connection
by October 20, 2015 6:59 pm 145 views
A plan to build a 3.2 mile walking trail at Craighead Forest Park received the go ahead Tuesday as Jonesboro city council members approved the bid of a Jonesboro company to begin to do the work.
Gillis Inc. received the winning bid Tuesday to complete the first phase of a trail project at Craighead Forest Park. The $758,310.50 bid will include clearing trees out for the project. Jonesboro Mayor Harold Perrin said the first phase is the beginning of a plan to revamp the park. The park, just off U.S. 63, has a pond for fishing and is the site of a July 4 celebration each year.
The city has applied for funding on phase two and should know about the funding by the end of the year, Perrin said.
The council also approved the first reading of a zoning change to help build a shooting range for police officers in town. The property, in the 2400 block of Dan avenue, would be rezoned from R-1 Single Family Residential to I-1 Industrial under the proposal.
City officers have used the shooting range at the Craighead County Sheriff’s Office for many years, with officials hopeful the new range will help with training. The second reading for the proposal will be heard on Nov. 3.
The council voted by voice vote to waive competitive bidding and allow Perrin to enter into an agreement with Ritter Communications to renew services and provide fiber connectivity for city government. Under the agreement, the city will pay $14,837.36 a month for to cover Internet protection, fiber optics and cable television service. Perrin said the contract is for a five-year period and takes effect immediately.