News Release: 5/11/2017
May 11, 2017
JEROME — Improving vital parts of the city — community pride, damaged roads and bike-friendly areas — are at top of mind for Jerome’s mayor and city manager.
Mayor Dave Davis and City Administrator Mike Williams addressed those concerns and more Wednesday at the State of the City.
Damaged roads
“There is no question this winter was extreme and hard on our roadways,” Williams said.
The city is waiting to hear back from the state and FEMA on what amount of money Jerome could receive.
The city has budgeted 3.4 million for overlay projects, but it doesn’t include damage from this year’s winter. During the winter, wastewater runoff caused daily flows to exceed 5 million gallons a day. The maximum canals can handle is 3.2 million a day. The wastewater treatment plant’s emergency storage pond helped filter excess water. The pond was part of the Jerome’s wastewater treatment plant upgrade.
The most heavily damaged Jerome roads are 16th Ave. E, 100 West and South Lincoln Avenue.
“There are potholes and lines or seams coming undone,” Williams said. “South Lincoln is the most heavily trafficked.”
The city has about $800,000 in reserves that it could apply, but it depends on what the City Council approves, he said.
Sidewalks and bike paths
The bike path serves only the east side of town. Williams wants to expand it to the west side, especially near Summit Elementary and Jerome Middle School.
For now, expansion of the bike path is in the conceptual phase. Williams said he is working with the Jerome Recreation District to come up with a plan.
Sidewalks are also a priority.
“We want to create more walkability throughout Jerome,” he said. “There are stretches of the town without sidewalks.”
New homes, businesses
Since 2014, eight new buildings have been added to Jerome. Downtown remains a major priority for the city. The City Council recently approved a developer agreement for seven acres along North Lincoln Avenue. The city will create a committee to make downtown more pedestrian friendly.
On average, 35 new homes are built each year in Jerome. However, Williams said, Jerome is running out of “shovel ready” lots for homes. Lots around Tiger Drive are especially low on inventory.
“After this year, there isn’t a whole lot of space left to build homes,” he said. “It’s not a problem and it is a problem.”
Community pride
Community pride or spirit is one of the 13 focus areas of Jerome’s strategic plan. A community spirit committee of seven people has been appointed by Mayor Dave Davis and confirmed by the City Council.
“The purpose, at least in my view, we talk about revitalizing downtown, but it’s also important to revitalize community spirit,” Davis said. “I feel service is the backbone of a vital community.”
August has been designated Block Party Month and is a way for neighbors to get to know each other.
“You can have all this economic well-being,” Davis said. “But if you aren’t friendly or compassionate it doesn’t mean anything.”
Mayor Dave Davis and City Administrator Mike Williams addressed those concerns and more Wednesday at the State of the City.
Damaged roads
“There is no question this winter was extreme and hard on our roadways,” Williams said.
The city is waiting to hear back from the state and FEMA on what amount of money Jerome could receive.
The city has budgeted 3.4 million for overlay projects, but it doesn’t include damage from this year’s winter. During the winter, wastewater runoff caused daily flows to exceed 5 million gallons a day. The maximum canals can handle is 3.2 million a day. The wastewater treatment plant’s emergency storage pond helped filter excess water. The pond was part of the Jerome’s wastewater treatment plant upgrade.
The most heavily damaged Jerome roads are 16th Ave. E, 100 West and South Lincoln Avenue.
“There are potholes and lines or seams coming undone,” Williams said. “South Lincoln is the most heavily trafficked.”
The city has about $800,000 in reserves that it could apply, but it depends on what the City Council approves, he said.
Sidewalks and bike paths
The bike path serves only the east side of town. Williams wants to expand it to the west side, especially near Summit Elementary and Jerome Middle School.
For now, expansion of the bike path is in the conceptual phase. Williams said he is working with the Jerome Recreation District to come up with a plan.
Sidewalks are also a priority.
“We want to create more walkability throughout Jerome,” he said. “There are stretches of the town without sidewalks.”
New homes, businesses
Since 2014, eight new buildings have been added to Jerome. Downtown remains a major priority for the city. The City Council recently approved a developer agreement for seven acres along North Lincoln Avenue. The city will create a committee to make downtown more pedestrian friendly.
On average, 35 new homes are built each year in Jerome. However, Williams said, Jerome is running out of “shovel ready” lots for homes. Lots around Tiger Drive are especially low on inventory.
“After this year, there isn’t a whole lot of space left to build homes,” he said. “It’s not a problem and it is a problem.”
Community pride
Community pride or spirit is one of the 13 focus areas of Jerome’s strategic plan. A community spirit committee of seven people has been appointed by Mayor Dave Davis and confirmed by the City Council.
“The purpose, at least in my view, we talk about revitalizing downtown, but it’s also important to revitalize community spirit,” Davis said. “I feel service is the backbone of a vital community.”
August has been designated Block Party Month and is a way for neighbors to get to know each other.
“You can have all this economic well-being,” Davis said. “But if you aren’t friendly or compassionate it doesn’t mean anything.”
