Downtown work garners another grant

By Staff
Leada Gore, Hartselle Enquirer
Plans to renovate downtown Hartselle are getting a second boost from the federal government.
City leaders learned Monday an application for a Federal Transportation Enhancement grant had been approved. The $309,741 grant requires the city to provide 20 percent in matching funds.
This is the second enhancement grant the city has received, following last year’s $480,000 award.
The latest grant will pay for the second phase of renovations, including new canopies downtown, as well as sidewalk, lighting and landscaping work.
Department of Development Director Jeff Johnson said Hartselle’s project is attractive to federal officials, who like to see grant money pay for projects that can be seen by the “traveling public.”
The first phase will include sidewalk and canopy repairs and landscaping from Railroad Street to Sycamore Street. The second phase will continue the work from Sycamore to Corsbie Street. Phase two also includes installing sidewalks, lighting and landscaping from Joe Roberts store towards EARTH Park.
Engineering for the project’s first phase is currently under way. Construction on phase one is set to begin January 2008 with work expected to take about a year. Phase two is scheduled to begin in 2010 with work taking about a year.
The current metal canopies are about 30 years old and have fallen into disrepair. The new ones will have slanted roofs, making maintenance easier.