By Ray King
The Pine Bluff City Council on Tuesday is asking state and federal agencies to hold up approving or releasing money to build a senior citizens housing project on West 73rd Avenue.
According to a resolution approved without dissent, Pine Bluff Wastewater Utility has identified existing sewer capacity constraints, creating the risk of sanitary sewer overflows under the current and projected loading conditions and has said that no approvals, permitting actions or construction should begin until these capacity limitations are resolved.
Council member Lanette Frazier was one of those who supported the resolution and is opposed to the construction, and she explained why to Deltaplex News.
A private developer is planning to construct 60 cottages and apartments in the 1700 block of West 73rd and secured federal money from the Arkansas Development Finance Authority but according to the resolution, that does not supersede the City’s independent responsibility to “ensue local land use consistence, public facility adequacy and health, safety, and welfare considerations.
The houses were originally planned for property on Ohio Street which is owned by the City and is the site of the former Southeast School That property was deemed not suitable because of flooding issues.
Also Tuesday, a resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign a contract with Cato, Trucking, Asphalt and Pavement, Inc. to perform work at the Pine Bluff Fire and Emergency Services Training Center was approved.
The company submitted the lowest bid for the work and will be paid $325,422.95 using money that was set aside last year.
