Hopewell city officials are planning to shut down Hopewell's primary wastewater treatment plan and expand operations at the regional wastewater facility, according to the Progress-Index.

Much of the wastewater from Fort Lee and Prince George is treated in Hopewell. The city is obligated to fulfill its contractual obligations to both localities.

City Council is working on a financial plan that will not burden Hopewell residents and protect the city's cash flow.

Hopewell homeowners can look for construction to begin next summer.

"Consultants presented City Council with a financial plan last night to implement relocation of the city's primary wastewater treatment plant. The anticipated cost for the project is $30 million, payable with two separate revenue bonds.

'Bidding will be in place by the end of the year, and construction could begin in summer of 2010,' said Jimmy Sanderson of Davenport & Company LLC, the city's financial adviser.

Sanderson suggested two phases for the project implementation.

'In the first phase, we'll borrow $17.5 [million] to $18 million by the end of 2009, which is the cap on debt issued this year,' he said. 'We will borrow the remaining balance in the second phase, which is 2010,' Sanderson added.

The plan does not include any federal grant money. Sanderson suggested that the city hire a feasibility consultant to analyze the bond package.

The goals of the plan are to minimize future impacts to Hopewell residents and minimize any cash flow impacting the city's general fund. Consultants also advise to take advantage of changes to federal tax law through the federal stimulus package."

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