Published: October 28, 2009 08:12 pm      

Bullock: $1M grant for town square is only for the square

Judge says there are misconceptions about how state money is used

If there’s one thing the newly received $1 million grant for the fountain square has generated, it’s interest.

But not all of it has been good.

During Tuesday’s Pulaski County Fiscal Court meeting, Pulaski County Judge-executive Barty Bullock took several minutes to explain the nature of the grant in hopes of clearing up some misconceptions county officials say the community has received.

Bullock took that cue after Executive Secretary Tiffany Finley, administrator for the square project, asked that the court provide proof that the county will provide a 20 percent match of in-kind funds for the grant.

“That’s something we can very well do in in-kind,” Bullock said.

Saying that “questions have arose” about the grant, Bullock set about explaining the nature of the $1 million “Fountain Square Beautification Project,” which is funded through the state.

“This money is set aside by the state for certain projects to be done and that money is earmarked only for projects such as this, so there’s no way we can take any of this money and spend it on the county courthouse or the county roads,” Bullock said on Tuesday.

The funding comes through the Kentucky Transportation Enhancement Program, and projects approved through that program must meet certain requirements. According to information about the enhancement program from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Web site, “eligible activities may include bikeways or pedestrian facilities, preservation of historic transportation facilities, beautification of the roadway environment, or other such specified improvements.”

The Fountain Square project may just qualify under all those.

Considering the Fountain Square’s long history — it was first designed as it stands today in 1908, though its role as the centerpiece of the city and county extends back to the 1800’s — it may be considered historic.

Add in the county’s wish list of improvements, which include better pedestrian access and bike access, and the fact that county officials are hoping, in general, to improve the traveling experience for motorists who drive by the square every day, and the project seemingly easily qualifies for funding through the enhancement program.

“That’s our goal ... when you drive into downtown Somerset, we want it (Fountain Square) to shine.” Bullock said.

And Bullock also noted that had Pulaski County not received that funding, it would’ve simply been put toward a similar project in a different county.

$800,000 of the $1 million will come from the state, and the county is required to contribute $200,000 in in-kind funding for the project. During Tuesday’s meeting, Bullock said equipment for the project and manpower can be provided through the county.

“It won’t cost the county tax payers anything at all out of pocket,” Bullock said.

Bullock also visited another question asked by several citizens since the ounty announced it had received the grant — how can anyone spend $1 million on a town square?

It’s easy, said Bullock.

“When you go and look at all the ... stuff that needs doing there, it’ll be a very expensive project,” Bullock said.

Several improvements will be necessary to bring the square up to par, county officials said. Those improvements come with a substantial price tag, as engineering and architectural costs add up quickly. Along with pedestrian and bike access and a new fountain, the electrical system that runs beneath the square, long ago considered nearly useless and cumbersome, must be updated. Handicap access is also high up on the list of priorities, and traffic flow around the square will also be studied to determine whether that can be improved as well.

“It’s in the center of our city, it’s in the center of our county ... and we just want to make it what everybody thinks it needs to be,” Bullock said.

The court approved Finley’s request that documentation be provided for the in-kind funds.