By MARK MCGEE
Improvements in the City of Shelbyville just keep on coming.
At the regular December meeting city council members were informed State Representative and Speaker Pro Tempore Pat Marsh that the city has been awarded a $550,000 Community Development Block Grant from the Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development.
The funds will be used to install and/or repair sidewalks on Deery Street from Depot Street.
The project will include curbs and gutters to improve the drainage on Deery Street. In addition, it will provide a safe, ADA compliant pedestrian walkway.
The process for the project will include engineering planning and environmental studies before bids can be solicited for the actual completion of the project.
“Updating our sidewalks will provide safer travel for pedestrians to use to access shopping and business areas in Shelbyville,” City Mayor Randy Carroll said. “When weather conditions are favorable we hope more citizens will be using these sidewalks to help promote a healthier lifestyle.”
Tourism is thriving and the City of Shelbyville continues to improve the attractiveness of the town for visitors.
One of the next steps in the process will be the construction of a downtown informational kiosk. Council members unanimously voted on an amount, that’s not to exceed $25,155.90, to be paid to Cornerstone Kiosk of Long Beach, Calif., for the development and construction.
The grant for $100,000 was announced in November of last year by the Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development. Shelbyville was one of 16 cities receiving the grants and one of four cities to receive $100,000.
The City awarded its portion of the grant to be used by the merchants. The $12,000 remaining was from funds returned used by one of the applicants. The remainder of the cost of the kiosk and signs will be paid through the city’s tourism fund.
Approximately $12,000 of the cost will be provided from unused funds distributed earlier this year through a Downtown Improvement Façade Grant. Merchants in the downtown area had to apply for funds with a description of the work to be done.
The kiosk was would be placed in a spot on the square which is yet to be determined. Also included in the project will be “way finding” signs which will give the directions to various tourist attractions in the area.
“The kiosk to be located on the square will provide event and informational advertisements for tourists and our citizens,” Carroll said. “Kiosks are used in many cities for this purpose. It will be accessible at all times to answer questions and will be updated frequently.”
In other actions:
*Consideration of hiring a part-time intern for public relations failed for lack of a motion.
*In a unanimous vote it was approved to defer the hiring of an Economic Developer with plans to revisit the issue in February of 2024.
“We all just need to sing Kumbaya and send $100,000 to the Shelbyville-Bedford Partnership,” said council member Henry Feldhaus.
*Mayor Carroll was unanimously authorized to sign a Certificate of Good Moral Character for Alberto Forero of Main Street Wine & Spirits.
*City offices, including the Public Works, will be closed for New Year’s Day. Monday’s trash will be picked up on Tuesday.
