City of Blackwell committing $4 million to roads, waterlines, and cleanup of structures

The City of Blackwell is committing $4 million to the improvement of roads and waterlines as well as the cleanup of dilapidated structures within Blackwell as part of an ambitious 5-year plan with funds from the Blackwell Public Trust. 

September 19 was a momentous day for the City of Blackwell which saw the Blackwell Public Trust Authority meet at 10 a.m. at City Hall to discuss the agreement which would see the City of Blackwell receive the $4 million in sums of $800,000 every October 1 after an assessment meeting with the Public Trust. 

This will allow for the Trust and the City of Blackwell to take an annual look at the Public Trust’s funds as the agreement dictates that if the trust dips below $50 million the funding would be placed on hold until the trust was far enough above that line. 

The agreement was approved by the Trust Authority and then finalized by the meeting of the Blackwell City Council later that evening. 

City Manager Jerry Wieland thanked the men and women of the Blackwell Public Trust Authority and stated that the $4 million would all go to extensive road, waterline, and dilapidated structure projects. 

Per the agreement, $2 million will be dedicated towards “Community Enhancement” which pertains to the cleanup of dilapidated structures within the City of Blackwell while the other $2 million would go towards “Capitol Improvement” which includes roads and waterlines.