Downtown project planned to attract more use

Published 11:00 pm Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Downtown Troy will undergo a facelift with special project funded in part by the City of Troy.

Melissa Sanders and Janet Motes presented the plan to the city council at their scheduled meeting Tuesday night.

Sanders said the proposal calls for a hedge row around the perimeter of the square to replace the trees blocking store fronts, a bench swing to attract guests, benches made out of recycled plastic with a cedar or wrought iron look, new grassy areas and upgraded trash receptacles.

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The project is estimated to cost $24,274 and Rep. Alan Boothe has contributed more than $8,700 toward downtown improvements. The council voted to fund the remainder of the project that Sanders said would hopefully encourage people to visit the area more often.

In addition, council members at the meeting voted to allow off-premise beer and table wine sales at the Troy State Chevron at 1113 U.S. Highway 231; to enter into an agreement with Verizon that would provide new air cards for Troy Police Department computers and ensure better coverage for officers; to extend Industrial Boulevard at Industrial Park South with the help of Alabama Department of Transportation funds; and to have a recurring tax free holiday on the first Friday in July that would be an incentive to purchase weather preparedness items.

The council also heard the first reading of an ordinance that would clarify the current zoning ordinance regarding hedges, fences and walls.

The next scheduled council meeting is June 26.