Local municipalities in the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) are on the hunt for public funds and may find them in what is becoming a common source.
At the April meeting of the CAMPO board of directors, Holts Summit and St. Martins presented applications they have submitted for Safe Routes to Schools grants.
The two projects address different needs for school zones in their respective areas. Holts Summit City Administrator Brian Crane informed the board that his city's Board of Aldermen intends to use the funds, if approved, for a speed limit sign that would have a radar gun attached and would flash driver's speed to them.
The project also would include upgrades to a crosswalk that leads from the school to an adjacent parking lot.
Crane said the construction for the project is slated to begin as soon as the city receives a federal obligation of funds. The project will cost about $45,000.
As for the St. Martins project, it will be more expansive. Small Cities representative Carlene Bax of St. Martins said the funds for which they have applied would be used to help construct a stretch of sidewalks extending from the St. Martins Catholic School to Verdant Lane.
Bax said the project will not only provide safe routes for parochial school students.
"Jefferson City public schools have three collector spots (along the proposed stretch) where they pick up kids they are transporting to Pioneer Trails schools," Bax said. "We feel it would benefit both schools as a safety issue so that they can have some place off of the street and have some protection there."
The total request for the project is for approximately $235,000.
In addition to the project presentations, two outgoing members of the Board of Directors were recognized for their service. MoDOT Central District Engineer Roger Schwartze, who will retire at the beginning of May, has served on the board since its creation in 2003. Jim Penfold, former 2nd Ward councilman for Jefferson City, has been on the board since he was appointed in 2007.
No replacements have been announced.