Aiken City Council has spent another $8 million of the $25 million it received from the state's settlement with the Department of Energy over plutonium stored at the Savannah River Site.
The Aiken City Council voted 6-0 Monday evening to approve the second and final reading of an ordinance allocating money to eight projects:
• $3 million for master plan updates and improvements at Beverly D. Clyburn Generations Park;
• $2 million for pedestrian improvements including sidewalks and accessibility improvements;
• $1 million for additional upgrades and improvements at Smith-Hazel Recreation Center and the adjacent park of the same name;
• $750,000 for the Preservation Society of Aiken's Kershaw Street home restoration project;
• $500,000 for playground equipment at Children's Place's new headquarters;
• $500,000 for bike lanes;
• $200,000 for property maintenance at Pine Lawn Cemetery; and
• $50,000 for the Aiken Downtown Development Association.
Councilwoman Andrea Gregory made the motion to approve the ordinance.
Councilwoman Gail Diggs seconded her motion.
Councilwoman Lessie Price left the room during the discussion and did not vote. She did, however, vote in favor of approving first reading of the ordinance March 11.
The council voted to allocate $16.5 million of the $25 million on April 11, 2023.
Those allocations included:
• $9.6 million to pay off bonds issued to fund the Aiken Municipal Development Commission's purchase of seven properties downtown;
• $3.5 million for a Northside gravity sewer project;
• $3 million to fund repairs to the Fairfield Street Bridge; and
• $400,000 for a streetscape project at the Aiken County Farmer's Market.
A budget conference committee voted to allocate the $25 million plus an additional $1.2 million to fund the construction of a turn-lane at Generations Park on June 10, 2022.
Federal and state elected officials announced the settlement Aug. 31, 2020.
In other action, the city council also approved the first reading of ordinances:
• Annexing and zoning single-family homes at 115 Vivion Drive and 107 Marvin Drive.
The council approved resolutions:
• Approving the provision of water and sewer to the city's new water treatment plant; and
• Approving and mutual aid agreement with Lexington Police Department.
The council proclaimed March as National Disabilities Awareness Month and April Child Abuse Prevention Month.
The Henry Middleton Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution told the city council that the national Daughters of the American Revolution plans to honor Martha Schofield and Dr. Matilda Evans during Women's History Month.
