City Council approves Harrison Avenue renovations

Sydney Edwards, Staff Reporter

The Charleston City Council voted Tuesday in favor of buying $6,531.66 in land from property owners on Harrison Avenue so the street can be widened.

Buying portions of the owners’ land will allow the city to move the sidewalks further onto their properties when the street is widened.

Council member Matthew Hutti said the construction on Harrison Avenue would begin “right away.”

The improvements will be similar to previous renovations on Polk Avenue and Ninth Street.

The approval of bids for street maintenance was on the agenda, but the council decided to vote on them at a later meeting.

The council voted to allow Marty’s to build restrooms and storage rooms onto its structure closer to the alley than what the city law permits.

Mayor Larry Rennels said the new owners of Marty’s wanted to build handicap accessible restrooms that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

The council voted to keep four ordinances on file for public inspection that would waive zoning requirements for the “20 Acre Woods” subdivision of Charleston.

Rennels said the items went on file so the public can look at the cost and feasibility of the changes.

The council also approved raffle licenses for the Charleston Country Club and the Coles County Extension Foundation as well as road closures for the annual “4 on the 4th Race/Walk” and Fourth of July parade.

The council announced Mike Monahan’s three-year term with the Carnegie Library Board of Trustees.

The council will meet next at 6:30 p.m. June 16 in City Hall.

Sydney Edwards can be reached at 581-2812 or sydneye72@gmail.com.