City saves money on downtown project

By By Leada Gore, Hartselle Enquirer
Continued efforts to renovate downtown Hartselle received their own bit of economic stimulus last week.
Bids for the project’s second phase came in some $120,000 under budget. The change saves the city more than $20,000 in matching money it was required to add to the state funds.
The project’s second phase includes Sparkman Street to Hickory Street and includes replacing the existing metal awnings on the storefronts, as well as installing planters and street lights.
Powe General Contracting of Hanceville submitted the low bid of $268,939. That was some $66,000 less than the bid from Rick Hall Construction of Hartselle. Hall’s company did the first phase of the project.
The second phase is being funded mainly through a $300,000 federal improvement grant. Tankersley said he hopes the third phase will be 100 percent funded through funds from the federal stimulus package.
The council has yet to formally approve the low bid. Once that’s done, Tankersley said it will take about 30-45 days for the work to begin.