City to submit sidewalk grant
The Holly Springs Board of Aldermen approved a grant application for $1.3 million to the Mississippi Department of Transportation for the construction of sidewalks.
Elliott and Britt Engineering is submitting the application on behalf of the city.
A previous application was rejected, said Mayor Sharon Gipson. The application was not approved because of the COVID-19 pandemic, she said.
Streets that will get sidewalks, if the grant is approved, are Hill Street from Salem Avenue to Govan Avenue, West Boundary Street and West Park Avenue.
In discussions prior to the motion to approve the application, Ward 1 alderman Bernita Fountain said, “I feel like that’s a lot of money, but grateful to MDOT.”
Gipson said the city has money budgeted for streets and is looking for creative ways to use funds.
“Sidewalks also help with beautification,” she said.
“I think it’s a good idea,” said Fountain, saying Spring Garden Apartments finally got sidewalks at a price of about $300,000. “It’s something I was really proud of. We want people out and walking and riding their bikes.”
Gipson added that Chesterman Street is another area that needs sidewalks.
Fountain suggested Murphy Lane and Church Court in her ward also need sidewalks.
Fountain’s motion, seconded by Ward 4 alderman Patricia Merriweather, passed 3-0, with Dexter Shipp voting for the measure. Aldermen Colter Teel and Andre Jones were not present.
The board approved a pay request to B&B Specialty Contractors of $153,648 for three pay requests covering work done in April, May and June.
Austin Hammond with the company said two additional pay requests are still outstanding.
The $537,000 grant from Mississippi Department of Archives and History to restore the historic water and light building is 37 percent complete, he said.
Merriweather asked what the building will be used for when restoration is complete.
Gipson said there are plans for part of it to be used as a museum and perhaps offices for economic development.
The building is over 100 years old, she said, and the bottom level could be used for a storm shelter. Part of the structure was once used as a jail.
In other business, the board of aldermen:
• approved continuing with Brad C. Davis as attorney for the cast-iron replacement project, serving as bond counsel and to execute any documents related to the project.
• authorized transfer of $271,458 from the city’s contingencies fund to the general fund. The money will be used to pay IRS $78,367 and other possible invoices totaling $193,091.
• approved travel for Terry Sims, Eddie Jefferson and Jeffrey Williams to Tupelo to attend the Mississippi Rural Water Association training.
• held an executive session to discuss personnel in the Holly Springs Utility Department.