ATHENS-Downtown projects to improve pedestrian safety and handicap accessibility are receiving financial support from organizations that support tourism dollars and beautification efforts.
The Athens-Limestone Tourism Association and Athens Rotary have donated $15,000 each for work on
The Square dubbed as “Getting Squared Away Downtown.” Spirit of Athens, a nationally-accredited Main Street Alabama program, plans to donate another $15,000 later this month. The City of Athens and Limestone County will split the $45,000 for various aspects of the work.
Tourism is supporting the projects because it hosts events and promotes other events on The Square and downtown that bring tourist dollars to Athens and Limestone County, such as Cars on The Square, Athens Haunts Walks, Athens Storytelling and Athens Grease Festival. Local Rotarians promote landscaping improvements throughout the city and have done projects downtown, such as Pecan Park.
The “Getting Squared Away Downtown” projects include improved electrical work, energy efficient lighting, signalized crossings and Americans with
Athens Rotary making its $15,000 donation to Mayor Ronnie Marks and City Clerk/Finance Director Annette Barnes
Disabilities Act compliant sidewalks.
Citizen Anita Raby said she is appreciative of the improvements since she has difficulty walking and the only method of walking to and from the Limestone County Courthouse is through traffic in the middle of the street with no signalization.
“I am much more appreciative of handicap accessible facilities since I have difficulty and walk slowly,” Raby said. “The beautification improvements will also be a nice addition to downtown. I appreciate the work being done to make our downtown enjoyable by all citizens.”
Here is a breakdown of the projects:
Athens-Limestone Tourism Director Teresa Todd presenting Tourism’s $15,000 check to City Clerk/Finance Director Annette Barnes and Mayor Ronnie Marks
- The Limestone County Commission’s renovation of the courthouse began in 2012 and required new electrical work. Athens Utilities ran the electrical underground to the courthouse. The new electrical work will serve expanded courthouse facilities, such as additional courtrooms, as well as electrical cabinets for use by vendors and entertainers during events on The Square.
- In 2013, the City of Athens received $736,000 from the state’s ATRIP grant program for a $920,000 project to resurface and improve Washington Street from Hoffman Street to U.S. 72, which includes the section through downtown Athens. The Limestone County Commission is funding its portion of the road, which is $26,000, with the city funding the remainder.
The Public Works Department built islands on Washington Street in downtown Athens in preparation for the ATRIP paving project to improve handicap accessibility and pedestrian safety by installing ADA compliant sidewalks and signalized crossings to the courthouse.
City Planner Mac Martin said that weather permitting, the curbing to install ADA ramps on the west side of the courthouse and painting of crosswalks should be done by Nov. 26. Utilities still is working on the electrical cabinets and then crews will work on installing street lamps.
The city will work with the Alabama Department of Transportation to schedule paving this portion of Washington Street in February after the
Mayor Ronnie Marks
Christmas shopping season.
- The city received a $391,000 Transportation Alternatives Program grant this year to enhance pedestrian safety and install ADA compliant features. The city’s portion is $97,750. The project, which could take up to two years, will include sidewalk improvements on the other streets around downtown, signalized crossings to the courthouse at the other corners of The Square, energy efficient lighting and streetscape enhancements. The Limestone County Commission plans to install the same energy efficient lighting around the courthouse.
“Tearing up streets, especially in a heavily-traveled area like downtown, can be frustrating, but the end result will be a downtown area that is safer and user friendly for all of our citizens,” Mayor Ronnie Marks said. “The support of organizations like Tourism, Rotary and Spirit of Athens to enhance services for our citizens is much appreciated.”
