Barbara Cannady for Burns Times-Herald

(Part 2 of Development Series beginning on May 22)

More building opportunities are in the works for Burns with the anticipated B Street expansion grant. The streets one-eighth mile extension will lead to the edge of the anticipated Miller Springs Development from the west corner of Slater School.  In between are parcels owned by the County, School District, Panoramic Properties and a handful of individual lots that will benefit.  

Lack of infrastructure has kept these properties isolated in the past.  Tying into the proposed Miller Springs Development can eventually provide an alternate access/egress route for fire safety and vehicle traffic.

The County block has been zoned light industrial, while the remainders can be available for housing projects.  Some potential housing areas are being reconfigured to larger lots, which equates to fewer utility stub outs. Planning Director, Brandon McMullen sees a cultural benefit to redirecting City development westward rather than towards the agricultural meadows to the east.    

The B Street Expansion Grant was approved in the last legislative session, for 2.25 million dollars. Funds will pass through the County to the City of Burns and their contractor for water, sewer, utility conduit and street bed. The grant does not cover paving or curbs.  

Contractual papers are in the works to put the project out for bid.  Burns City Manager, Judy Erwin, expects the initial phase of the B Street project to be completed by November. The street will be owned by the City of Burns. With a 1.3-1.5 million dollar shortfall needed to cover paving, curbs and cost increases, the Project will go back to the legislature in the 2025 session.