The Brundidge City Council voted at its Tuesday meeting to accept property consisting of 28 acres on the city’s South Main Street from the Brundidge Industrial Development Board. The council’s next move will be to consider making the property available to the Pike County Board of Education.

Brundidge Mayor Isabell Boyd said the Pike County BOE has expressed a desire to build a recreation complex on the site.

Boyd told the council the property, which is located behind the former Junior Foods store, has been in the city’s possession since 1953.

“Nobody has done anything with the property and now we have the opportunity for a miracle,” Boyd said. “The Pike County Board of Education will take an eyesore and build something of great value to our city.”

Brundidge City Manager Britt Thomas discussed an opportunity available to the city through the Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program II.

Thomas said applications for the ATRIP II-funded project may be submitted for improvements to any state-maintained highway systems, which would include U.S. Highway 231 and State Highway 93.

“The total amount of the ATRIP II funds to be allocated in FY2020 is $30 million,” Thomas said. “The maximum funding to be provided to an individual project is $2 million.”

Thomas suggested that the council consider applying for the ATRIP II funds for the purpose of making improvements to Veterans Boulevard.

Thomas said the council has previously discussed the need for improvements to the connector street to Highway 231. Veterans Boulevard is the street that would be most costly for the city to improve. He estimated the cost of the improvements would be $500,000.

If approved, the project would be 100 percent funded and at huge cost savings to the city, Thomas said. He suggested that the city’s application could be enhanced if the city contributed money of its own to the project.

The council voted for the mayor and city manager to prepare the documents necessary for the ATRIP II grant application.

Thomas also informed the council of the progress on the city’s sidewalk project on the north side of town. He said poles, fencing and shrubs on the city’s right-of-way have to be moved before the work can be completed. Once that is done, the project can move toward completion.

In other business, the council nominated Henry Wilson for consideration for the vacancy on the Pike County Board of Equalization that has been held by Jim Medley.

Boyd announced that a Town Hall meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, August 17 at Brundidge Station.

Boyd said the purpose of the meeting will be to give residents an opportunity to express their views and concerns about the immediate future of the city.

“The city will be open to all ideas,” Boyd said.

Brundidge Police Chief Moses Davenport thanked all agencies that participation in the investigation of the robbery of the J&S Buy Rite and the murder of station attendant Neil Purush Kumar on July 24.

“It took all of the agencies working together to make an arrest,” Davenport said.
“The suspect is in custody.”

Davenport said the theft of automobiles continues to be a concern. Those involved are thought to be teens who take the cars, hide them in the daytime and ride them at night. Davenport said anyone who sees anything suspicious related to the taking of automobiles or any other activity is asked to call the Brundidge Police Department at 334-375-3333.

The Brundidge City Council meets at 6 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at Brundidge City Hall. The meetings are open to the public.