Saturday, October 30, 1999
Volunteers build a sidewalk
Villa Hills school route made safer
BY CINDY SCHROEDER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
VILLA HILLS — More than a decade after residents began lobbying for sidewalks along Villa Hills' main artery, their goal has been partly realized.
Last weekend, 25 to 30 volunteers, using equipment on loan from local contractors and metal forms donated by the city of Fort Thomas, poured 1,000 feet of sidewalkalong Amsterdam Road across from River Ridge Elementary. The new 5-foot-wide sidewalks extend from the Valley Trails subdivision to Rogers Road.
Mayor Steve Clark said he hopes to extend the sidewalkfrom Rogers Road to Collins Road by next spring, weather and money permitting. He also hopes to lay a small section next spring that would tie Villa Madonna Academy into the sidewalk system.
Later, if money is available, Mr. Clark hopes to run side walk along Collins Road, which borders the year-old Crescent Springs Community Park.
Councilman Tim Sogar said a previous city administration had installed sidewalks along Buttermilk Pike in the early 1990s. However, he said Villa Hills' applications for federal grant money for sidewalks elsewhere repeatedly have been denied.
Mr. Clark said that the city is submitting a new grant request later this year.
“We're hopefully narrowing it down a little, and making it easier for them to say yes to us,” he said.
Volunteers under the direction of Villa Hills Public Works Director Derick “Buck” Yelton poured the sidewalks on Saturday and Sunday.
“Everybody that drove by was honking and waving and thanking us,” said Mr. Clark, who had promised sidewalks during last year's mayoral campaign. “Runners and joggers were stopping to thank us. It was a great feeling.”
In June, the mayor broke a tie vote on a city budget that called for taking $105,750 out of cash reserves to pay for sidewalks.
One of the first to volunteer for the project was Julie Schuler, a 21-year resident and mother of four who has lobbied for sidewalks for years.
“We have sidewalks, but they don't really go anywhere,” Mrs. Schuler said. “They don't go down our main roads, or past the schools. And you should see a mom with a stroller and two little ones at her side trying to get to the park.”
Besides safety concerns, the avid runner said that she will enjoy having a place to run within Villa Hills, once there are more sidewalks.
Living on Carpenters Trace, near the intersection of Amsterdam and Collins roads, Mrs. Schuler said there is no nearby sidewalk system for runners like her.
“Now I have to go to Edgewood to run, or places like Lunken (Airport),” she said.
Mrs. Schuler said sidewalks also make it easier for residents from different neighborhoods to socialize.
“Sidewalks tie your community together,” Mr. Yelton said. “They give your city a nicer look, and make the property values go up. It's a win-win situation for everyone.”
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TRISTATE DIGEST
Volunteers build a sidewalk
Water deal for Mason
