Towns’ Projects Get Funding

Small cities south and west of Spokane are getting federal money to build playgrounds, provide social programs and improve utility services.

The money comes from Spokane County’s 1997 allocations of federal community development funds. About $2.2 million is being passed out countywide.

Airway Heights would receive $12,000 for playground equipment at a new residential park serving about 500 households.

Cheney would receive $110,000 to install a new water main on Third Street.

The project calls for replacing 1,850 feet of leaking water pipe with a new 8-inch pipe and three new fire hydrants.

Also, Cheney’s Outreach program would get $11,700 to supplement its support services for low-income people, the disabled and the elderly.

The town of Spangle is in line to receive a total of $245,000 as part of its plan to build a new $1.2 million sewage treatment plant to replace existing evaporation lagoons.

The money for the Spangle plant comes from allocations over several years.

Medical Lake is getting $18,000 to replace existing street curbs with new ones that have ramps for wheelchairs.

Medical Lake will also get $5,500 to supplement its community outreach programs.

Two other programs at Medical Lake include $18,000 to study the town’s storm drain system and $110,0000 to reconstruct Lake Street through the central business district with new curbs, pavement and drainage.

Out of the $2.2 million community development block grant budget, the county takes $381,000 to provide management for the contracts and programs.

, DataTimes