Hartselle, HU receive $450,000 CDBG grant
By Clif Knight
Hartselle Enquirer
The City of Hartselle and Hartselle Utilities have been awarded a joint $450,000 Community Development Block Grant for infrastructure improvements in the Snow Hill Subdivision.
Grant funds, along with $112,500 in local matches, will be used to cover improvements to existing sewer and water lines, storm drainage and roadways on Rhodes, Edgeworth, Andy and Brookline streets and Snow Hill Lane. The project will directly benefit 120 residents and 68 homeowners. Both entities will provide in-house labor and equipment to
help meet the local match requirement.
The grant application was prepared by Community Consultants of Huntsville in 2016 with the assistance of Snow Hill residents. However, it failed to meet the cut for approval by a narrow margin and was resubmitted in 2017.
“We feel very fortunate to have the grant,” said Mayor Randy Garrison. “It will enable Hartselle Utilities and the city working together to provide much-needed infrastructure improvements that otherwise would not have been possible. We look forward to joining forces with HU in other grant-funded projects in the future.”
On HU’s side of the project, outdated sewer mains located in the middle of streets will be abandoned and replaced with today’s standard main lines and water mains. Cast iron water mains will be replaced with larger polyethylene lines. In addition, the Snow Hill sewer lift station will be updated, fire hydrants will be updated, and sewer and water service lines from the street rights-of-way to the residences will be replaced at no cost to the customer.
“The Snow Hill area has a history of inflow and infiltration issues where heavy or extended rainfall is concerned,” said HU general manager Bob Sittason. “Residents have also reported severe water pressure issues. The work we plan to do with the help of this grant is designed to put these issues to rest.”
Garrison called the plans a “win-win for everyone.”
“We are pleased anytime we can make infrastructure improvements that improve the quality of life for our residents and in turn increase property values,” said Garrison.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs awarded the grant during a ceremony in the state capitol in January. A follow-up meeting of grant recipients is planned this week.
The hiring of an engineering firm to draw plans for the project is the next step in the grant process. Most construction work is expected to be done next summer and fall.