Umatilla kicks off long-awaited Orange Avenue stormwater project

By Jerry Fallstrom

UMATILLA — Relief is on the way. That's the message city officials have for residents along Orange Avenue, a main drag off State Road 19, who are weary of dealing with standing water when it rains.

The long-awaited Orange Avenue stormwater project will get under way Monday. The improvements have been three years in the making, City Manager Scott Blankenship said.

"It's a huge deal because we have stormwater issues behind the high school," he said. "It's like a lake back there if we get nothing more than a sprinkle."

Infrastructure upgrades include water and sewer lines, a retention pond, paved road with curbs, gutters and sidewalks plus concrete driveway aprons for residents along the project area.

"All the residents are very excited about this project, and the school," Blankenship said.

The $1.61 million project is funded through grants, a low-interest loan through the state revolving-fund program as well as partnerships with the county and School Board.