LINCOLN, NEB. (March 12, 2008)—The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) has awarded $1,034,305 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) second round funding for five public works projects.

Grants are administered by DED from the state’s annual allocation of CDBG funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Funding will go to the following communities and county:
Fairbury will receive $165,000 to purchase an aerial ladder fire truck. The truck is needed to combat high rise fires and to conduct roof and window rescues from large house fires. It will replace a 40-year-old truck that is functionally obsolete. The city will provide $150,000 to complete the project. Contact: Jim Ferneau at 402-729-2476, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Gothenburg will receive $250,000 for engineering, paving, storm sewer, curb and gutter work along portions of 22nd street from Avenue G to Avenue J and 23rd street from Avenue G to Avenue H. Currently, these residential gravel streets impair the safety and welfare of residents, spreading dust throughout area homes, and posing problems where snow removal and drainage are concerned. The city will provide $259,351 to complete the project. Contact: Bruce Clymer at 308-537-3677 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Lexington will receive $250,000 for engineering and concrete replacement work, including handicapped ramps (at each intersection) along Monroe Street from 3rd to 9th streets. The existing concrete panels are cracked, broken and sunken along many portions, prohibiting residents from walking or riding bicycles along the street. Of equal or greater concern are handicapped residents who cannot navigate wheelchairs across the street. The structural problems make it impossible to properly seal cracks to prevent infiltration from rain, ice and snow, leading to more damage. The design life of residential streets generally ranges from 40-50 years, and Monroe Street was built in 1963. The city will provide $267,550 to complete the project. Contact: Joe Pepplitsch at 308-324-2341 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Thurston County will receive $119,305 to install an elevator and sprinklers, and update mechanical and electrical service to improve overall accessibility, safety, and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act at the two-story Thurston County Courthouse. Current citizens can only access services on the lower or second floor levels by stairs. The second floor features the Roads Office, County Board Room, the Clerk of District Court, the County Court Office, the County Court Room, the District Court Room, a jury room, two judges offices, the County Attorney’s office, library and a commons areas—all without elevator access. Witnesses and citizens often need assistance maneuvering the stairs. The county will provide $75,600 to complete the project. Contact: Tammy Moore at 402-385-2343, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Weeping Water will receive $250,000 to renovate 4,732 sq. ft. of the former downtown Cass County Agriculture Society Building’s top floor into a large social hall with a warming kitchen and handicap accessible restrooms that can host wedding receptions, large banquets, and other social or civic events. Built in 1939 with a federal Work Projects Administration grant, the auditorium was home to the Cass County Agricultural Society for nearly 30 years until it was sold to Nickels Trailer Sales in 1967 for camper, trailer and vehicle storage. In its heyday, the bi-level auditorium hosted civic events, wedding receptions, Saturday night dances, roller skating and pro wrestling matches. For some time, however, the auditorium has remained vacant. The city will provide $254,700 to complete the project. Future plans for the building (unrelated to the CDBG award) include adding a senior center/public library and city hall offices. Contact: Kay Gerdes at 402-267-5152 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

CONTACT
Patty Wood, DED, 402-471-1559