MONTGOMERY— Six communities in Dale and Houston counties will undertake improvement projects with the help of Community Development Block Grants totaling $1.7 million awarded by Gov. Robert Bentley.
“These grants will enable communities to undertake vital projects that local governments might otherwise be unable to complete,” Bentley said. “I am pleased to work in partnership with community leaders in Dale and Houston counties on projects that will upgrade the public services available to residents.”
Dale County
• Grimes is receiving $224,924 to improve drainage in the Chrisney Estates development. Storm water collecting in a field near a housing area has created a large, stagnant pool that never dries out. Town officials say the pool of water has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, bacteria and snakes. The project will install piping and landscaping to alleviate the problem. The town is committing $24,991 to the project.
• Napier Field will use a $350,000 grant to replace aging sewer lines. The original lines installed in the 1940s have become brittle and cracked and in some cases have completely collapsed, causing sewer backups. The town will install more than 4,000 feet of new PVC sewer pipe in the project area. Napier Field is contributing $84,970 to the project.
• Ozark is receiving $440,000 to rehabilitate at least 20 deteriorating houses and demolish five old, unsafe structures in the northwestern part of the city near Martin Luther King Avenue. Improvements to the houses may include new roofs, storm windows and doors, repairs to damaged floors and other measures to improve energy efficiency. The project also includes sidewalk and drainage improvements on Noah Circle. Ozark will contribute $49,330 in matching funds.
Houston County
• Columbia will use a $63,578 grant to make sewer system improvements. The grant will enable the town to install new piping at the wastewater treatment lagoon. Columbia is contributing $10,000 in matching funds.
• Madrid is receiving $297,250 to rehabilitate at least 15 substandard houses that are in various stages of deterioration. Elderly residents own and occupy most of the homes. Town officials say the project will repair structural damage to the homes, improve energy efficiency and provide a safer living environment for residents.
• Taylor will use a $347,395 grant for drainage improvements in the Landview Heights subdivision. The current drainage system is undersized and pipes are corroded, causing overflows and flooding. The project will install more than 1,400 feet of large drainage pipe along Landview, Begonia and Petunia drives. Taylor is contributing $38,599 toward the project.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. ADECA administers an array of programs supporting law enforcement and traffic safety, economic development, energy conservation, workforce development, water resource management and recreation development.
Contact: Mike Presley, Larry Childers