RACINE — Yesterday evening, residents in Racine stopped by the municipal building to hear a breakdown of just how the $800,000 the village has been approved to receive in federal stimulus funds will be spent.

Officials with the Ohio Department of Transportation’s District 10, which is overseeing the project, explained these funds will go towards the installation of new sidewalk, the widening of the entrance to Star Mill Park, the paving of the walking track and parking lot in the park as well as lighting around the walking path.

Saleh A. Eldabaja, production administrator for ODOT District 10, explained around 1,100 feet of new sidewalk will be installed from the entrance of Star Mill Park to the Racine Boat Ramp along Ohio 124. The sidewalk will be five feet wide. A drainage system will also be installed along with the sidewalk. The lighting around Star Mill Park should consist of 30-32 lamps when completed.

Eldabaja said the project will be sent to ODOT’s central office in Columbus on Dec. 1 for approval. Once approved the project, now estimated at around $700,000 (a figure which doesn’t include engineering fees) will sell in February. Assuming the bidding process goes smoothly, construction on the improvements could start in April with the contractor having until October to finish.

ODOT is also currently assisting the village with the development of the Fifth and Elm Street Project which will add an extra turning lane of traffic along Ohio 124 and Tornado Road near the new commercial business district. The project is still under development but Eldabaja estimated it would sell in May or June.

As for the project discussed last night, the $800,000 is funded from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.