FRANKLIN
City of Franklin officials are hoping that construction will start on the Madison Street Neighborhood Revitalization Community Development Block Grant project by the end of the year.

City Manager Randy Martin said Franklin has a few details to line up with the state before the funds become available. In the meantime, people who have already filled out surveys don’t have to do anything, unless circumstances have changed, like someone has moved or died.

“We will follow up with them once we clear our hurdles with the state,” Martin said. “We won’t begin this process until at least July.”

If a resident is new to the target area, or has reconsidered filling out a survey, he said to get in touch with Community Development about getting on the list. The city anticipates some funding for additional homes beyond the original people who expressed interest.

“It is still voluntary — no one will be forced to do it,” Martin said. “If there are any additional people, beyond who signed up, we will put them on the list and determine if there are sufficient funds to do more than is in the original grant application.”

The Madison Street project will receive $700,000 this year, and over two years $1,233,575, which was the full amount requested by city officials. The city is expected to provide a match of $312,004.

The project began back in 2012 and revolves around making improvements to homes and infrastructure in the area of Madison Street. The infrastructure improvements will mostly aim to improve drainage and the sewer system.

Martin added that the city has three years to complete the project.

Originally, 20 lower-middle income homeowners were willing to accept the aid, and nine low- to middle-income tenant-occupied housing units also expressed interest. Without adding anyone else, the housing improvements will benefit 69 people.

In total, there are 54 properties in the area, which includes two duplexes.

The department of Community Development can work with home-owners and tenants to determine if a particular property is in the target area.

The target area includes parts of Madison, Roosevelt and Washington streets, as well as part of Maplewood Avenue. Community Development can be reached at 562-8580.