July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.

Council gives OK to paving alley (07/08/2008)

Portland City Council

By By RACHELLE HAUGHN-

The owner of a Portland business has been granted his wish.

Matt Armstrong, owner of Matt's Garage, 205 W. Union St., wants to make his property look nicer by paving a stone alley located east of his business.

On Monday, he asked Portland City Council members for permission to do such, and the council gave him the nod.

Armstrong's original request was for the city to vacate the alley. During the meeting, however, he said he just wanted the alley vacated so he could pave it.

City attorney Bill Hinkle told Armstrong he could either petition to have the alley vacated or just get the city's permission to pave it. The latter would be quicker and lest expensive, he said. Armstrong chose the second option.

Armstrong said he is trying to make his property cleaner. Paving the alley will give his customers a nice surface to drive on, and prevent dust, mud and dirt from getting on their vehicles. Armstrong also parks vehicles he is selling near the alley, which is located between his lot and the railroad tracks.

Council president Bill Gibson asked if there are any utility lines running under the alley.

Jeff Harker, street and park department superintendent, said there are no sewer lines under the alley but there might be a water line. He told Armstrong the alley might have to be dug up in the future if there is a problem with the water line. The city would replace the asphalt, he said.

Armstrong said he was fine with that possibility.

Before voting, councilman Todd Nichols asked Armstrong if he would like the alley vacated.

Armstrong said he would like it vacated sometime in the future. He said Monday that Maurice Alsip, who owns a triangular piece of property east of the alley, is fine with the request.

Also Monday, Gibson reminded council members that next week is the Vintage Motor Bike Show. Portland residents will not have to obtain permits next week to have yard, garage or rummage sales.

The show will be held July 14-18 at the Jay County Fairgrounds. Gibson said some people have arrived early for the event.

In other business, Bruce Hosier, mayor of Portland, said the Boundary Pike/Wayne Street project is going well. Updates on the project are available at www.thecityofportland.net, he said.[[In-content Ad]]
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