The Glendale neighborhood can expect to see changes in their water system beginning in May.
The City of Tallahassee Subdivision Utility department held a public meeting Tuesday concerning the Glendale neighborhood and replacing its sewer and water system.
“We’re going to replace all water mains and water services throughout the entire neighborhood,” said Chick Savering, program engineer of water and sewer for the city of Tallahassee. “It’s going to be very disruptive, dusty and noisy, so we wanted the neighborhood to know that we’re coming.”
The process will take six to seven months to complete.
The existing water system is more than 70 years old and has reached the end of its life span. The new system that will be in place will improve water pressure.
The city of Tallahassee will also be installing fire hydrants throughout the neighborhood to improve fire protection there.
Savering said the previous water system that was installed was too small to accommodate fire hydrants, but the new water system will allow fire hydrants to be placed throughout Glendale.
“That’s a benefit,” Savering said. “We are providing reliable fire protection and safe reliable utility service throughout the neighborhood.”
The city of Tallahassee will hire an underground utility contractor to perform the project and use conventional underground utility methods for the new installation.
Once all construction is complete, roads will be resurfaced and newly paved, which will take another month.
The public meeting also gave a chance for local residents to voice their opinions and concerns. Some locals were concerned about interference of their property due to the upcoming project.
Tallahassee native Ambers Barry, who owns property in the Glendale neighborhood, has a wall in the front of her home and wanted to make sure workers could go under her wall to complete their work.
“I’m also concerned about the paving of the new roads and taking care of them,” Barry said. “We live on a slope, and if these roads aren’t taken care of afterwards, we’re subject to flooding.”
Although there were concerns, the excitement for this project outweighed them. The project will have no direct cost on homeowners, and the operation is estimated to cost $1 million.
E.J. Pulliam, a Glendale resident, said he is very optimistic for the new development. Since this project directly affects her neighborhood and property value, Pulliam felt like this was an important meeting to attend.
“Although a lot of tress has to be taken out for this project, a new sewage and water system is such a plus, and I think it will really help in the long run,” Pulliam said.