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NORTHERN VIRGINIA DAILY EDA's Avtex request OK'd Lot would be used to extend sewer service to building By Ben Orcutt The Front Royal Town Council on Monday unanimously approved a request by the Front Royal-Warren County Economic Development Authority to use a portion of the Avtex parking lot to extend sanitary sewer service to the Avtex office building under renovation. The council also directed the EDA's engineering firm - Painter-Lewis of Winchester - to proceed with a design to extend Monroe Avenue to Kendrick Lane in conjunction with design plans for the connection of a 2- inch forced main to extend sanitary sewer service to the Avtex office building, which is part of the Avtex Superfund redevelopment project. EDA Executive Director Stephen A. Heavener told council members that his panel has "$5,000 to $6,000" in leftover grant funding that could be used to pay for the design costs of the extension of Monroe Avenue to Kendrick Lane. Heavener told the council the EDA has until June 30 to designate how the excess funds will be spent. Town documents indicate the EDA plans to award the contract for site work and construction of the sewer main next month. "We need to have the sewer line in by the end of the summer," Heavener said. Heavener has said the EDA's goal is to have the office building ready for use by the early part of next year. The council is able to set its own timetable as far as constructing the Monroe Avenue extension. The panel for some time has been requesting permission from the EDA and the county for permission to build the road. The Board of Supervisors voted last week to approve the EDA's request, which also will include granting the town an easement to construct the Monroe Avenue extension. A document known as the "Memorandum of Understanding" stipulates that the EDA, the supervisors and the council all have to agree to any uses of land associated with Avtex Superfund site. Heavener reiterated Monday that one of the EDA's goals is to have the extension of Monroe Avenue provide neighboring residents with greater access to shops and businesses that will serve the larger portion of the Avtex redevelopment project. Extending Monroe Avenue also will provide better access for fire and rescue services, Heavener added. Councilman Eugene R. Tewalt, who made the motion that the town grant the EDA's request, asked Heavener if the extension of Monroe Avenue should be built to town specifications or to industrial specifications. Heavener said that as an access to commercial development, the road probably should be constructed to town standards. |