By Liz Holland

Salisbury officials plan to issue more than $6.1 million in general obligation bonds to finance several projects, including infrastructure and fire department equipment.

City Council members on Monday night gave final approval to an ordinance allowing the city to issue and sell the bonds.

Some of the projects are already under way or completed, while others will get started in the coming months.

The largest amount -- $1.89 million – will fund the construction of a new garage at the Field Operations Department. The structure will be used for vehicle maintenance and will replace an old building that has seen better days, said City Administrator Julia Glanz.

“It’s probably as old as the Earth,” she said.

Another $1.5 million will go toward replacing other old buildings and making improvements to others at the Field Operations property, she said.

The city also will use $1.4 million for a new aerial ladder truck for the Salisbury Fire Department. City Council members on Monday approved a $1.397 million bid from Atlantic Emergency Solutions for the new vehicle.

Other projects that will be funded with bond money are: 

•         $ 178,750 as the city’s share toward the replacement of an air handler replacement on the Government Office Building. The building is owned by Wicomico County, but the city contributes to its upkeep. 
•         $ 381,326 toward additional Downtown streetscaping, including the town square area near the city parking garage. 
•         $330,000 for Market Street shoreline improvements along the Wicomico River to make it safer and more stable. 
•         $290,000 for a Northwood and Brewington Branch culvert to alleviate flooding in the area. 
•         $114,000 for Riverwalk replacement at the Port Exchange building. Glanz said the work there has been completed. Over the past several years, the city undertook a $1.5 million renovation of the Riverwalk with new bulkheading, landscaping and lighting, but the portion by the Port Exchange building and another near the Brew River restaurant were the last remaining segments.
•         $40,000 for a ramp and bathroom conversion at Poplar Hill Mansion. The bathroom work has been completed, but the city is still awaiting approval from the Maryland Historical Trust for a ramp, Glanz said.