Armed with funding from a property tax hike, Cleveland, Tn., officials are ramping up some 50 capital projects.
Joe Fivas, city manager, said the projects range from greenways, to infrastructure improvements, to new runway paving at the Cleveland Jetport, and to upgrades at several major intersections.
Funding also came available for the new Candy's Creek Cherokee Elementary School. Grading has started on the project.
Greenway work includes the Casteel Connector linking Tinsley Park to Ocoee Street. Also, the Blythe Oldfield Park, featuring a soccer field, basketball court, large green, pavilion and play equipment has gotten underway.
Cleveland is also looking at a new use for the Cherokee Hotel - with a focus on commercial or residential development.
Councilman Richard Banks praised the projects and recommended that the city erect signs saying "Your Tax Money Working For You."
On other topic, Mayor Tom Rowland said he was dismayed to learn that some Florida evacuees in the city had been victims of price gouging.
He said price gouging is technically not against the law in Tennessee, but he is urging the governor's office to issue a proclamation against it.
Cleveland Fire Chief Ron Harrison gave an update on the situation at the Wacker Chemical Plant at Charleston. He said the chemicals involved in an emergency at the facility appeared to be hydrochloric acid.
He said Cleveland sent 16 units to the scene and spent 300 man hours on the job.
Chief Harrison said the focus was keeping the chemicals at the plant and not out into nearby neighborhoods.