I read a letter to the editor in the March 25 Record Herald regarding the W Euclid Paving and felt a response was appropriate. The West Euclid resident asks for the same assessment policy for new streets that the city uses to repave existing streets. That is, to pay 50% of the cost of the paving. Here are some important points to consider:

• West Euclid will be paved as a 31 ft wide street with an 8 inch depth
• W. Euclid paving was estimated at $1.2 million including engineering and related costs
• The city is contributing $300,000 of federal monies and about another $150,000 of tax payer monies to subsidize the cost of paving
• The city placed an assessed value of $25,000 to vacant lots that are 90' and larger which results in $6,250 assessment reduction (in addition to the subsidies above). The reduction occurs because cities can only assess 25% of a property's assessed value (25% of $25,000 is $6,250)
• The estimated cost/ft for paving W Euclid is about $195/ft after removing specific costs borne by the city including a culvert extension and some storm sewer work
• With the city/federal subsidies and reduction in assessed value, some property owners cost/ft will be below $100/ft. One 300 ft lot is assessed at about $83/ft.
• The assessed cost to W Euclid property owners will be less than the cost of constructing a normal 25 ft, 7 inch depth residential street

Based on the above information, the city has already reduced the cost of paving to about one half. The property owner is therefore asking to reduce his $18,000 assessment to $9,000, or, about one-quarter of the unsubsidized cost.

While controversial, assessments are intended to assign cost to those that receive benefit. All property owners have paid for their streets through the cost of their lot purchase. For example, property owners immediately north of W Euclid in the Prairie View Subdivision paid the cost of their paving, sewer and water utilities when they bought their lots. And, subsequent buyers of homes in that subdivision will reimburse the original owners when they buy homes as well.

One final comment. According the the Warren County Recorders Office, a 90 ft lot sold on W Euclid for $35,000 last year. The new owner contacted the city several times to find out the estimated assessment and was told it would be in the $12,000 range. The new owner therefore fully understands he has about $47,000 invested in a 90 ft vacant lot on W Euclid that has city sewer, water and paving.