A second set of sidewalks was constructed in Picayune recently.
Last week the Item reported on a Safe Routes to School project that provided Mississippi Department of Transportation funding to help build sidewalks along Sixth Avenue in Picayune. That sidewalk will provide children living in that area with a safe way to walk to school.
Saturday, city leaders gathered at Rosa Street to see the progress being made in the construction of sidewalks with a different type of funding.
The funds, called Westside Funds, came from the sale of lots within the area of Rosa Street to Bruce Street decades ago. Councilor Larry Breland said the funding came about when HUD came in to purchase small lots and allow residents to build homes on larger property. Those funds were put into an account and designated for use only within that same neighborhood.
About $48,000 worth of those funds was used to construct a sidewalk from Main Street down Rosa Street to the intersection of Davis Street, said Public Works Director Eric Morris. The work is also adding a sidewalk from Rosa Street down Jones Street to Pleasant Valley Baptist Church.
This project will almost deplete the funding, but there are still about 10 more lots up for sale, so as those lots are sold more funding will become available, Breland said.
Luke said this project has been a goal of Breland’s for years.
“I appreciate the work of Luke and Morris to get this done,” Breland said.
This work will help the city meet a Federal Highway Administration requirement. Luke said the agency mandated the city conduct an assessment on their sidewalks citywide and look at any necessary ADA compliance issues that need to be addressed. Since the assessment was required by the federal government, Luke said the city is looking into grant funding to help with the cost of modifying sidewalks in other areas of the city that need it, and building them in areas where they are absent. Morris said areas around city and county government buildings such as City Hall, any schools and the county building on Goodyear Boulevard, will be looked at first.
City funds will be used as well, as they are available, Morris said.
It could take up to eight years to get all of the planned sidewalk work completed.