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New council sets 4-year goals
Published 12:00am Wednesday, October 24, 2012
The newly-elected, but not-yet-installed Andalusia City Council Monday set improving South Three Notch Street as its biggest goal for the next four years.
Current Mayor Earl Johnson and current council members Will Sconiers, Hazel Griffin, Kennith Mount and Terry Powell will be re-installed on Nov. 5 along with new council member Ralph Wells.
Johnson said the city has already applied for ATRIP funding from the state for the project, which will be extensive and expensive. The road has a concrete base, he said, which has been paved over several times.
East Three Notch Street also had a concrete base, he said. The concrete was crushed and used as the base for the new construction. However, he said, the process tears up any utilities underground.
Johnson said engineers estimate it would cost $10 million to do a “Cadillac version” of upgrades, and the final decision can’t be made until the city learns how much funding it might receive from the state.
He said he is hopeful that at least a portion of street can be done very similarly to River Falls Street, with decorative lighting and sidewalks installed.
The council also discussed the possibility of building a sidewalk or walking trail on Prestwood Bridge Road, as well as sidewalks on South Cotton Street.
Council members also discussed the need for more entertainment venues – like a theater and additional restaurants, and what could be done to invigorate redevelopment of older neighborhoods.
Other goals include improvements at the public golf course at LBW Community College, and improving the streetscape on Third Avenue to showcase Andalusia High School.
The new council will be sworn in at 2 p.m. on Mon., Nov. 5. A reception will follow.
