By Jason Clay Jansky

After more than a year of preparation, Falls City leaders voted during their April 18 meeting to take bids on a massive street project that will spend tax dollars accumulated over the last two budget cycles.

Several streets around town are slated for repair and paving once council members accept a bid. The largest project on the list is the reconstruction of Merchant’s Alley from Menger Street to Meyer Street.

Other projects on the list include seal coating Cooper Street between FM 791 and Swenson Street, seal coating and repairing Josephine Street, reconstruction of Yoakum Street, reshaping the base and seal coating Riviera and Chambourd streets, and seal coating Elwood and Terrell streets.

"Bids will be opened at the end of May," Falls City Mayor Vi Malone said.

Malone also announced the park upgrade project is nearly complete.

"We’ve got a little bit more work to do on the Veterans Park and then we’ll be able to close that one out. Landscaping is done, horseshoe pits are in, the walking trail is in, and the lights on the pavilion are in," she said.

Council members also discussed animal control issues during the meeting. Malone said she was concerned over the program’s status.

"There hasn’t been an animal control meeting in almost a year and I’m a little concerned with that," she said.

Council also voted to cancel the May election. Each candidate for office is running unopposed.