Olpe water project is on hold
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
OLPE — A grant the city of Olpe needs to take on a $2 million water project didn’t come through for the city, putting the project on hold.
Olpe Mayor Jerry Tempelmeyer said the grant would have allowed the city to construct a 150,000-gallon water tower and install new water lines. The $2 million needed was nearly 50/50 for each component. Part of the reason the water project is needed is to help provide water for a new housing development, which is under construction.
“We got that new development and that’s one thing they asked from us,” he said. “It’s not just for our current residents but also for our future residents that are coming down the road.”
Tempelmeyer said the city applied for a Community Development Block Grant and a grant through the Regional Development Association. The first grant fell through and then the RDA grant didn’t come through. Their grant was moved to the Iola RDA office and the city was told there wasn’t any money left for the Olpe grant. Tempelmeyer said the news of the funding falling through does not stop the project.
“We need to try to figure out where we are at on this,” he said. “This doesn’t mean the project is done, just a small setback.”
Tempelmeyer said Olpe officials will meet with the RDA to figure out if money will be available later this year or in 2009.
“This water project was put together to help water pressure for current residents and future development,” he said. “So it is important for us to stay on top of any grant money that is available and where the city of Olpe stands compared to other community projects in the state.”
In other Olpe news, Tempelmeyer said the speed limit on Highway 99 going through Olpe will be raised from 30 mph to 35 mph. The city is opposed to the speed limit increase, Tempelmeyer said, because of children crossing the highway to go to and from school.
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