Revitalization project slated for Downtown Hartselle
A revitalization project is expected to begin in Downtown Hartselle later this month. The project will include lighting and a new parking layout for Hickory and Railroad Street in the downtown area. The $388,000 project, is being funded mainly through federal grants with the remaining cost being covered by the city.
Matthew Burgess is the project manager with Garver, and will be overseeing the updates. Burgess said the sidewalks will be updated with the stamped bricks and the streets with ADA compliant crosswalks. Lighting will also be added that correspond with those on Main Street. “The project will be to revitalize the area of Hick and Railroad Street to keep consistent with the downtown area,” Burgess said.
Image courtesy of Garver.
A specific start date has not yet been set for the project, but Burgess said they are expecting to begin towards the middle or end of October and to be complete around Christmas. “The design phase has concluded, we are just in the process of getting construction contracts,” Burgess said.
Burgess says he does not expect to have to close either street during the project, but that there may be days that they are one lane. “Primarily the work is going to be on the sidewalks, and thankfully the roads are in low traffic areas,” he said.
In addition to creating a more cohesive downtown area, the project also aims to encourage more foot traffic. “They have in mind a master plan on how it looks as far as connectivity and cohesiveness, but ADA compliance was also a big deal. There are also definitely some benefits to having a pedestrian friendly downtown,” Burgess said.
