Sidewalks Potentially Years Away In Part Of Haddon Heights

HADDON HEIGHTS, NJ — The turnaround time for completing a sidewalk project in Haddon Heights will largely depend on who designs it, according to remarks made at Tuesday's borough council meeting.

Earlier this year, the borough received a $1.2 million grant from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission to design and build continuous sidewalks near Atlantic Avenue Elementary School, Glenview Avenue Elementary School and Seventh Avenue Elementary School.

The grant was one of the items discussed at Haddon Heights' Sept. 6 borough council meeting.

The sidewalks' designs would cost the borough nothing if a state-approved contractor drew them up, "but you're probably looking at two to three years" until the sidewalks will be completed, Council Member Christopher Morgan said at the meeting.

Conversely, if the borough found its own person to have the designs drawn up, the sidewalks would likely get designed and built faster, according to Council Member Kate Russo. This option would cost the borough approximately $120,000, Russo said.

Some council members wanted to wait for the state contractor so the borough could use the $120,000 for other purposes that need funding immediately.

Others wanted the borough to cover the $120,000, citing concerns that material costs will go up while waiting for the state contractor, and thus, fewer sidewalks would likely be built.

Ultimately, the council decided to gather more information before deciding who should do the sidewalks' design.

Russo agreed to discuss the matter with the borough's chief financial officer and report to the council.

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