CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman City Council on Monday evening voted to award a contract for streetscape improvements along First Avenue Northeast from Arnold Street to Second Street (the Warehouse District Streetscape Project) to Powe General Contracting, LLC in the amount of $1,380,053.16. The project is a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant project, and the City of Cullman received $640,000 for the project, according to Cullman City Engineer Erica York.
“This is a TAP project, this is federal funding that we received, so it’s grant money. Similar to the streetscape project that was just completed along (U.S. Highway) 278, this is from Arnold Street to Second (Street), so it’s improvements along First Avenue Northeast, what we call the Warehouse District, so it’ll be formally known as the Warehouse District Streetscape Project,” said York. “The purpose and goal of these TAP projects is to not only promote unification for downtown areas, it’s also to enhance and bring areas back to into (Americans with Disabilities Act) ADA compliance.”
On the costs of the project, she said, “The grant will cover almost half of the total project cost; they’re providing $640,000 for us to improve these streets.”
York shared some of the new features the project will bring, saying, “Some of the new features we’ll see from the finished project is you’ll see the nice brick pavers for crosswalks, overhead lighting and more decorative light poles. We’re going to improve the lighting. We’ll have new asphalt paving and center drainage so that will be a new feature. We’re also in the process, but we’re going to improve the utilities, so we’re going to completely revamp water and the sewers.”
Councilman Clint Hollingsworth asked for a project timeline, and York answered, “We start after the Valentine’s season, so about a mid-March timeframe is when we’ll actually start work in sequencing and phasing. We’ll block out with signs to keep from closing whole sections of the street to keep businesses accessible, with completion by September. We will not close anything down for any major event; everything will be accessible. There will be few hiccups and headaches along the way.”
The Council also voted to enter a contract for professional services with Renta Urban Land Design to provide master planning, hardscape design, landscape design, all construction documents and the construction administration for the complete renovation of Nesmith Park (a Land Water and Conservation Fund grant project).
Renta Urban Land Design Landscape Architect Stephen Schrader said, “We will be the prime consultant on this site, so if we need any additional engineering services like a civil engineer or an the architect to view the plans for renovating the building that’s already out there, we will hire those people and they will work under us. The swimming pool that is out there is actually an important part of the LWCF grant that the swimming pool will be filled in and will go away, but we will be replacing that with a splash pad feature out there, so there will be a water component there.”
In other business the council voted approved:
- Resolution No. 2020-48 to purchase the Whittle property located at 608 10th Ave. SE (adjacent to East Side Park) in the budgeted amount of $125,000. Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs noted, “(Acquiring the property would) enable us to square-up East Side Park.”
- Resolution No. 2020-49 to purchase the Ray property (Lot 6 of Terrace Heights Fourth Addition) in the budgeted amount of $38,250
- Resolution No. 2020-50 to enter into a pricing agreement with Cullman Regional for inmate care
- The surplus 33 air packs from Cullman Fire Rescue to the Cullman County Association of Volunteer Fire Departments
The council also recognized former Hanceville Police Department Officer and son of Hanceville Police Department Chief Bob Long, Rob Long, who took the oath to become a Cullman Police Department officer Monday evening.
The council also recognized City of Cullman Sanitation Superintendent Larry Jones. After 45 years of service, Jones will officially retire Feb. 1, 2020. The City announced Jan. 13 that Samuel J. Dillender will take Jones’ place.
The Cullman City Council meets at 7 p.m. the second and fourth Mondays of each month in the auditorium at Cullman City Hall. The public is invited to attend.
