Brook Drive road project to cost more

Jesef Williams
jwilliams@thelancasternews.com
More money is needed to continue work on the Brook Drive improvement project near the University of South Carolina Lancaster.
Lancaster City Council voted unanimously at its Tuesday, Sept. 25, meeting to approve two change orders, which add a combined $49,793 to the project cost. Crews are performing road and sewer work to make the area more accommodating for planned college student housing in coming years.
LCI Lineberger Construction has been contracted to install a new sewer bore along Brook Drive. The company, though, has encountered a layer of underground rock, which must now be removed.
The $33,955 needed to address the rock issue will come from reserves in the city’s gross revenue fund, said City Finance Director James Absher.
Also, an additional $15,838 is needed to address “unsuitable soils” pertaining to the road portion of the project. Road work will include widening and the raising of a dip.
Absher said that money will come from reserves in the city’s general fund.
“I think sometimes you just encounter these things and we have to roll along with it,” Councilwoman Sara Eddins said about the added costs.
The total Brook Drive project budget now goes from $389,190 to $438,983.
However, the original budget was $430,000. Costs were reduced after it was decided that city crews – and not an outside group – would perform some of the work.
Retirement              presentation
Earlier on during Tuesday’s meeting, Lancaster Police Chief Harlean Howard recognized Sybil Robinson, who recently retired after working 22 years as a city dispatcher.
“She has dedicated so many hours and so many years to the Lancaster Police Department and to the citizens,” Howard said.
An emotional Robinson took several moments to wipe away tears and gather herself during the presentation. Members of the police department gathered near her as she received retirement gifts from the city.
Robinson, who began working in March 1990, retired in August as the city’s most senior dispatcher.
“We miss you already,” Howard told Robinson. “Your smile and your kindness.”
Closed session
Council later met in executive (closed) session Tuesday to discuss “contractual matters.” That session included Brian Tripp of engineering company W.K. Dickson and Keith Tunnell, president of Lancaster County Economic Development Corp.
Except for adjournment, no action was taken when council returned to open session.

Contact reporter Jesef Williams at (803) 283-1152