By Tim Alsobrooks
Paris, Tenn.- Two separate public input meetings were held at Paris City Hall Monday concerning the two TDOT Grants for which the City is applying.
Travis Martin, principal Civil Engineer with TLM Associates in Jackson, was on hand at the meeting held at 5:30 pm to discuss the projects in some detail. Only one citizen attended the evening session, while a couple attended the one at noon.
The City is looking for a Multi-modal grant with a 95/5 match with only five% being local. This is to help upgrade traffic signals in the downtown area which will include Market and Ruff, Market and Washington, Wood and Brewer, Market and Blythe, Washington and Poplar, Market and Wood, Wood and Poplar.
The plan is to get at least five of these done and replacing the equipment totally because the equipment is at least 50 to 60 years old. Martin said, “We can’t really upgrade, cause these parts are so old, they’re not being made or used anymore.”
Improvements will also be to handicap ramps, signal buttons, and to improve pedestrian safety downtown.
Citizen Jack Spencer, the only resident on hand at the public input meeting at 5:30 pm, asked if audio would be included in these upgrades and Martin said they would. Spencer said, “That’s great news to hear, it really does make it safer for those of getting around downtown via the crosswalks and sidewalks.”
A TDOT Transportation Alternative Grant will be submitted for new sidewalks for Lone Oak and Royal Oak to the Fairgrounds and tying existing sidewalks in there and going to Wood St. and tying in sidewalks there as well. This grant is an 80% grant with a 20% local match. This grant will pick up where a grant received a couple years ago for sidewalks in the area left off.
City Manager Kim Foster said, “These grants are super competitive and we hope to do as much as we can to continue to apply for these type grants and do as much work as possible should we be awarded them.” She said TDOT likes to see connectivity and building on projects they have already funded which is what this Transportation Alternatives grant does.
The grants are due in October and wouldn’t likely be announced until next summer and then work would begin next fall or the following spring.
Foster also mentioned after another planning meeting was held on the splash pad that they could begin moving dirt as early as next Wednesday or Thursday should the weather allow for it. She said it will be super exciting to see actual work done after this long process.
Photo: Jack Spencer comments on the city plans. (Tim Alsobrooks photo).