COLUMBIANA — The city has awarded a construction contract for Phase II of the Harvey S. Firestone Park project.

City Council recently approved emergency legislation to contract with Parella Panninzio of Youngstown for $1.11 million.

City Manager Lance Willard said that Parella was the next lowest bidder but was recommended since the actual lowest bidder did not have all the necessary pre-qualifications from the Ohio Department of Transportation.

Phase II of the overall park improvement project consists of sidewalks around Mirror Lake and along to where the mini basketball hoops are located.

Willard said the work will begin this summer and should be completed by the fall.

In other matters, council also heard a request from Lakeview Drive resident Wayne Kinard to temporarily close the dead end street on July 4 for a street party.

Kinard and his wife Julie and their neighbor Dan presented council with a list of signatures from all 10 Lakeview Drive residents supporting the closure.

“If we could temporarily block that street we could have an old fashioned street party,” Kinard said.

He requested the closure begin at 3 p.m. July 4 and end after the fireworks display.

“In no way would it impede first responders. The fire hydrants wouldn’t be impeded upon. If there was an emergency they would be able to get right in and take care of it,” Kinard said.

Mayor Rick Noel encouraged Kinard to pick up a packet at City Hall to fill out in order to notify all the proper departments of the request and then return back to council for an official vote.

“It’s nice living in a community where we get along so well. I know my neighbors, they know me. Having lived in front of this park for many years I have seen the good, I have seen the bad. It’s a great place to raise a family,” Kinard said.