Despite resistance from a downtown property owner, the city is moving ahead with efforts to build an additional thoroughfare in the city’s business district.

A public hearing on the city’s proposal to condemn a parcel of property in the 100 block of South Main Street will be held at Wednesday’s Suffolk City Council meeting. The city is proposing to pay local accountant Frank Sheffer, president of Shefco Inc., $105,000 for the property.

So far, the city’s efforts to negotiate the acquisition with Shefco have been unsuccessful, according to the city’s resolution.

The city will use the property to build a new road between South Main and Commerce streets.

Also on Wednesday, a public hearing will be held on the city’s 2005-06 secondary highway improvement priority list and construction budget.

Major projects included in the state’s estimated $1.7 million 2005-2006 allocation are: $116,129 for widening and construction on Gates Road; $448,868, construction on Copeland Road; $495,738, construction on Mineral Spring Road; $97,800, sidewalks on White Marsh Road; $200,000, preliminary engineering for Shoulders Hill Road; and $62,000, preliminary engineering for Wilroy Road.

allison.williams@suffolknewsherald.com