East Liverpool City Council did the right thing in passing the proposed $1 million improvement project for the downtown area.
We've brought council members to task on some subjects, but now is the time to praise them for approving this measure.
It's a win-win for the city- spend only $30,000 and receive $1 million worth of beautification to the downtown.
The bulk of the money will come via a grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation. Kent State is putting up $150,000, and private donorship is nearly $112,000.
Basically, it was a move that would have been hard to pass up.
What's happening is that the intersection of Broadway and Fourth is receiving a facelift of sorts. The project will include new sidewalks, curbing, lighting and landscaping. The stretch of Fourth Street from Broadway to Washington will receive the same treatment, as well as some repairs done to the brick roadway.
Prior to passage, area business leaders Steve Cooper, Charles Lang and Tom Snow all supported the project. We back their stance - that Kent already has done a tremendous job with maintaining and improving its buildings and land. One look at the area where the former Smith building stood should tell you that.
It says a lot that the university was willing to contribute $150,000. They are a tremendous asset to our city.
And to those private donors who will hand over the $112,000, we salute you as well.
We couldn't put it any better than councilman Sherrie Curtis, who said "obviously, there are a lot of people concerned with the betterment of our community."
