Council hopes to receive grant for sidewalk project, honors students at Lanett and Springwood

Published 5:23 pm Tuesday, May 21, 2019

LANETT — On Monday evening, Lanett city officials received an optimistic report from grant writer Louise Campbell on its chances of receiving grant money for the fourth phase of the North Lanier Avenue streetscape project. The city is seeking a $250,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for this final phase of the project. Phases one and two are complete and phase three is currently under way. The grant has a 20 percent local match.

Campbell said that the application must be in by July 22, and she anticipated no problems with meeting the deadline. In addition to the CDBG request, the city is also seeking a Transportation Alternatives, or TAP, grant for phase four.

Phases one and two run from the downtown area past city hall to the bridge over Tanyard Creek. Most of this work was completed in 2018 and brought such improvements as wider sidewalks, better drainage, brick crosswalks, decorative lighting and underground lines. One detail that’s left to be done is to complete the foundation on the downtown triangle. Mayor Kyle McCoy said Monday that this could be completed by July 4.

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The bulk of the money being spent in phase three is for improved drainage. Some large concrete pipes have been placed underground to direct the water flow off North Lanier into Tanyard Creek. For years, this section of North Lanier Avenue experiences flooding after heavy rain. Improved drainage along the street could help alleviate that.

Funding being sought for phase four would be for the east side of North Lanier from the creek to the Georgia state line, across from Bluffton Funeral Services.

In another item of business at Monday’s council meeting, approval was given to extending a line of credit with Renasant Bank. This is something the city has had for a long time.

“It’s something we could use if necessary,” McCoy said. “It has a zero balance, and we haven’t used it in four or five years.”

Members of the council took turns congratulating local high school seniors upon earning their diplomas.

“Enjoy college life, but remember why you are there,” said Council Member Shirley Motley.

“Class of 2019, the best is yet to come for you,” said Council Member Tony Malone.

“You are our future leaders,” McCoy said.

The council honored with plaque presentations this year’s class valedictorians and salutatorians at Lanett High and Springwood High along with Mr. and Miss LHS and Mr. and Miss SHS. Sierra Jackson is both the valedictorian and Miss LHS. She will be attending UAB this fall majoring in biology. Nyasia Mason is the class valedictorian at Lanett High. She plans to attend Jacksonville State University with the goal of being a nurse. Mr. LHS Tairrque Baker will be going to Troy University, where he will major in psychology.

Springwood’s valedictorian, Tuong Tran, will attend Texas A&M and major in engineering. The salutatorian, Cole Hoiness, will be going on to study neuroscience at UAB. Miss SHS Maddie Johnson will attend Auburn University and major in civil engineering. Mr. SHS Mitchum Smith will be going to Auburn and majoring in kinesiology.