Work on the new sewer line at the city-owned property west of Henryetta is running ahead of schedule.
That was the word from Henryetta mayor Jennifer Munholland Monday at the July Henryetta Economic Development Authority (HEDA) meeting.
When completed, the project will provide sewer service to the nearly 35 acres of land just south of I-40 exit 237.
HEDA members approved a $4,895 reimbursement to the city for engineering service and $31,885 reimbursement for the work on the project.
“We have some hotels and other food places that have expressed an interest in coming to Henryetta,” Munholland said. “Those businesses don’t want to give out their names because we have some people in Henryetta who would fight them coming here.”
The QuikTrip project is not dead, she pointed out to HEDA members. “Quiktrip has over $2 million invested. They are working on some easement issues but they want to make sure all their I’s are dotted.”
Final paperwork has been received on the status of asbestos in several abandoned and dilapidated houses in town. Now that paperwork is finished, city crews can start demolition. “We have four or five lined up to tear down at one time,” she said.
With the warmer weather, a lot more people are using the beach at Nichols Park. Munholland said there is an ongoing problem with children jumping off the fishing dock and walkway. That is illegal and police can pass out $35 tickets to violators. “We need the citizens to call the cops when they see the children jumping off the dock. There have been multiple kids injured. That metal is rusted and there are sharp edges.”
She urged anyone seeing any violations at the park to call the police department. Most recently, one individual was seen hauling off several loads of sand from the volleyball courts. “No one called the police,” she said.