Prosser paving the way for the future
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PROSSER, Wash. - It took more than 10 years and one million dollars to fill the potholes and add sidewalks on Sheridan Avenue. Streets like Bennett and Sixth near downtown are now in top shape too. Other spots aren't so lucky.
Javier Neri jogs in areas where sidewalks don't exist and roads crumble. "There's a lot of cars and they don't even move," he said.
Authorities here now plant to build on the success of Sheridan Avenue. They've got 15 more projects lined up over the next six years ringing up a 28 million dollar tab. Most of that money will come from the state and federal governments.
Interim City Administrator said, "We've got a lot of development going on and if we don't make our community attractive people really won't want to come here."
Streetlights, curbs, gutters and new sidewalks are the priorities along with filling in cracks and potholes. The goal: a town with complete streets and not a patchwork of incomplete roads.
The area near the aquatic center on South Kinney is a perfect example. On one side of the street, closest to the elementary school, there are nice clean sidewalks and bright signs alerting traffic to pedestrians. If you cross the street, nothing but gravel where the sidewalk should be.
Downtown Prosser is also in line for a makeover with wider streets for better traffic flow and parking to handle increased business and congestion.
Javier just wants to be able to enjoy the outdoors with out getting hit by a car.
"They expect you to move and you can't see them because you're running," he said.
Prosser's leaders think it will mean a better connected city.
Prosser has been setting money aside to to match the grant money.
Work on the next project will start next spring if everything goes as planned.
Javier Neri jogs in areas where sidewalks don't exist and roads crumble. "There's a lot of cars and they don't even move," he said.
Authorities here now plant to build on the success of Sheridan Avenue. They've got 15 more projects lined up over the next six years ringing up a 28 million dollar tab. Most of that money will come from the state and federal governments.
Interim City Administrator said, "We've got a lot of development going on and if we don't make our community attractive people really won't want to come here."
Streetlights, curbs, gutters and new sidewalks are the priorities along with filling in cracks and potholes. The goal: a town with complete streets and not a patchwork of incomplete roads.
The area near the aquatic center on South Kinney is a perfect example. On one side of the street, closest to the elementary school, there are nice clean sidewalks and bright signs alerting traffic to pedestrians. If you cross the street, nothing but gravel where the sidewalk should be.
Downtown Prosser is also in line for a makeover with wider streets for better traffic flow and parking to handle increased business and congestion.
Javier just wants to be able to enjoy the outdoors with out getting hit by a car.
"They expect you to move and you can't see them because you're running," he said.
Prosser's leaders think it will mean a better connected city.
Prosser has been setting money aside to to match the grant money.
Work on the next project will start next spring if everything goes as planned.
