#036;1 million in improvements

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, May 27, 2003

During its Tuesday meeting, the City of Andalusia approved more than $1 million in improvements to the city as part of a capital improvement plan developed over the past few months.

The City of Andalusia Capital Improvements Committee headed by councilmen Harry Hinson and Bridges Anderson and Mayor Earl Johnson solicited input regarding items of need from various city departments with the objective of

creating a capital improvement plan.

The results of that endeavor were revealed at the regular meeting of the Andalusia City Council Tuesday as the council approved a

$1,127,600 capital plan consisting of a

diverse range of issues.

The plan, which has been in the process of formulation over the course of several months, consists of numerous projects pertaining to several different departments.

"The plan consists of capital projects to be done in the public works department, the leisure services department, the police department and almost every segment of our city is affected by this plan," said Johnson.

Hinson noted the plan will affect every city district, and "pretty well addresses the major problems we have."

When Councilman Michael Jones inquired about whether the projects in the plan might be accomplished in a period of one year, Johnson said this time frame is a major goal.

"It is our aim to have (the plan) completed by the end of this administration, but hopefully we'll have it completed in one year," said Johnson. "We are getting our final plans together. We certainly plan (to complete the projects in one year) unless we have some kind of disaster, which we certainly hope we don't have."

Jones noted the fact that the city is undertaking numerous may mean inconvenience and the need for patience at times to Andalusia residents.

Some of the major projects included in the capital plan include:

Drainage improvements in locations such as First Avenue, Blue Bell Drive, Oak Leaf Court, College Street and East Three Notch Street.

Equipment needs, including the purchase of one garbage truck and body and a power broom and small sweeper.

A boat ramp for Lake Armstrong.

Renovations to Coleman Park and Pool and Cooper Pool.

Rehabilitation to North Cotton Park, to be renamed Robert Horry Park.

Playground improvements at Robinson Park.

Improvements to the existing City Hall,

to be used as the new headquarters for the Andalusia Police Department and the city's municipal court.

Development of a teen room at Andalusia Public Library.

Equipment shed for the Evans Barnes Golf Course.

Rewiring of field lights at the Andalusia Sports Complex.

"It is a wide range of projects that this capital plan will cover and this is in addition to all the other capital improvements that we have done in the past two and a half years," said Johnson.