The Fayette Board of Alderman at its most recent meeting on Tuesday, March 13, approved a project to overlay parking areas downtown along Church Street next year. 

Southwest Ward Alderman Grafton Cook reported that MoDOT plans to overlay Highways 240 and 5 from Highway 40 in south Howard County all the way to Glasgow. He proposed the city pay MoDOT to overlay the parking areas on either side of the roadway between Morrison and Davis streets at the same time. The overlay will continue about a half block south of the square on either side and would cover 1,748 square yards.

The work will be done sometime in 2024. 

Mr. Cook estimated the cost to the city to be $14,689.90, which would be included in the fiscal year 2024 budget that will be approved in June.

Danny Dougherty, the city’s public works director, called the proposal a “no-brainer” when considering how much more it would cost if the city were to perform the work itself.

“There was no way we could get anything done for that kind of money,” Mr. Dougherty said. “If we could get it done while they’re going through town, it will all be new and fresh, and we can paint our lines however we want.”

Mr. Dougherty said he would like to add a section of Church Street across from Linn Memorial United Methodist Church to be included in the overlay project. “That area is just awful,” he said. “It has been patched and patched. We need to visit with them about doing that area when they come through.”

The Council gave unanimous approval to accept and include the project in the 2024 fiscal year budget.