The city of Portsmouth is applying for $8.5 million to begin three projects.

In a request form from the city to the offices of U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and U.S. Sen. George V. Voinovich (R-OH) the city has asked for $4 million to begin one project, $3.5 million to begin a second project, and $1 million for a third project.

The project — City of Portsmouth Mitigation of Combined Sewer Overflow — indicates, “during storm events, the raw sewage is allowed to flow into the Ohio River because it is nearly impossible to treat the large volume of water generated by the storms. During heavy rainfall, the stormwater can cause serious water pollution problems. These pollutants from the discharge usually include bacteria, pathogens, toxic chemicals and other debris.”

The filing states that in order to fix the problem, the sanitary sewer will need to be rebuilt in a separate conduit.

“This will take many years and over $2 million,” the request states. “In order to get started, $4 million will be needed for the design and engineering of a portion of the project.”

Phase one would require $4 million for construction design and engineering; $20 million for personnel costs at prevailing wages; $15 million for equipment and supplies, and $1 million for other expenses, totaling $40 million.

Another project — Greater Portsmouth Ohio Water System Improvement Project — would be completed in five phases: 1) water main rehabilitation; 2) complete filter rebuild and controls; 3) Sunrise Hill Reservoir rehabilitation; 4) Haverhill water tank replacement; and 5) Franklin Furnace water system improvements. The request asks for $3.5 million for fiscal year 2011, with a total project cost of $23.9 million. Phase one would total $20 million; phase two — $2 million; phase three — $400,000; phase four — $750,000, and phase five — $750,000.

The other project — Lawson’s Run Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade — is a follow-up to the recent upgrades to the plant in the amount of $5.67 million. “This will help improve the health safety and well being of the community,” the request states. “If the upgrade is not repaired in the near future, a catastrophic failure is imminent.”

The city is asking for $1 million for construction design and engineering; $5 million for personnel costs (prevailing wages); $3.75 million for equipment and supplies, and $250,000 for other expenses, for a total of $10 million.

“We’re getting positive feedback on everything that we are proposing from different sources,” Portsmouth Mayor Jane Murray said.

Murray said the appropriations requests need to go through the federal budget process.

“It’s part of the deliberations that go on throughout the budget cycle, and the budget is generally put together,” Murray said. “The new budget is supposed to be in place by Oct. 1, and often that may be extended a month or two or so.”

Murray talked about other projects being worked on.

“We have an invitation to put together the grant application for that Streetscape Plan,” Murray said. “We had to submit a letter of intent to apply. Then they would select who could make full application, and we were selected to make full application.”

Murray said Shawnee State University will be working with the city on that project because the first phase of the project will include the pathway from the university down Front Street, taking in the murals and that entire area.

“Then it will go over to Market, to Second and Chillicothe. That’s the order,” Murray said. “It’s going to take a lot of years and involves multi millions of dollars.”

At Monday’s City Council meeting, Council voted to authorize Murray to enter into an agreement with Strategic Funding Group, Inc. of Lexington, Ky., for the purposes of providing strategic grants counsel services, finding research services and grant proposed development and writing services, not to exceed $25,000.

FRANK LEWIS can be reached at (740) 353-3101 Ext. 232 or flewis@heartlandpublications.com.