For years residents have complained about the streets in Blytheville.
Some of those street issues may be resolved in the near future.
Tuesday afternoon, Blytheville Mayor Barrett Harrison told the City Council's Streets and Drainage Committee that the 1/4-cent streets bond retires next month and money for work becomes available in June.
The first portion of funds will likely be used to hire an engineer, who will help the city prioritize a list of the most dire streets.
"All of you have people that have very legitimate street problems that they want some attention on, and you're not ever going to have enough money to solve all the problems," Harrison said.
The mayor estimated the tax will generate $59,000 to $79,000 a month with a restricted use for infrastructure.
Councilmen R.L. Jones and Monte Hodges both lobbied to hire an engineer.
Jones said the city must be "very cautious" how it prioritizes the list because some people will question why money is spent on one street and not another.
"We need an expert to determine the priorities," Hodges said. "If people see that you're making an assertive effort, that you are prioritizing, they won't jump to conclusions."
Harrison said when prioritizing the city has to look at two categories: comfort and safety.
He said some Arkansas Aeroplex streets appear, on the surface, to be in better shape than some that might make the list, but they are "being undermined because of some drainage issues and the streets are going to become dangerous."
"While they don't look as bad say as another, an engineer will say, 'this is a dangerous situation; that one is just an uncomfortable ride,'" Harrison said. "We're all getting beat up on the uncomfortable rides and maybe a handful of people are driving over the dangerous streets. So you're going to have a priority list that's just about being comfortable and one that is going to be about safety."
Hodges: "Having the expert and explaining that will ease the minds of the citizens."
Jones said council members have to educate their constituents on the process as it unfolds.
Overman added some streets in Blytheville are the state's responsibility, and they need repairs just as those that fall under the city's care.
She said the next step is to decide which engineer to use.
The council will also consider whether or not to let the funds build up before starting a project.
Meanwhile, Harrison asked the committee if it wanted to extend Rose Street from Division to Elm with a slag road.
He said several years ago council members became interested in extending the street, and Nucor agreed years ago to provide the slag.
The mayor was unsure if the offer still stood after the company's recent $90,000 donation to the city for demolishing condemned houses and work in Williams and Cypress parks.
Harrison said if Nucor donates the 2,600 tons of slag, the city still must transport it to the site and spread it, which is estimated to cost between $25,000-30,000.
The mayor said a slag road would keep big trucks and cotton modules from tying up McHaney and Elm and cut down on litter from cotton trucks. He noted a lot of children walk on McHaney.
"Please don't confuse it with getting a curbed and guttered paved road," Harrison said, though he pointed out the slag could provide a good base if he city decides to build paved road there in the future.
He added before the city could start on the potential project, the Council must revisit an ordinance that prohibits gravel roads, gravel driveways or gravel parking lots.
mbrasfield@blythevillecourier.com