City restarts project to improve Tuscaloosa Avenue pedestrian lighting
The Gadsden City Council on Tuesday approved an agreement that restarts the effort to improve pedestrian lighting on Tuscaloosa Avenue — something that should get the long-stalled project moving again.
The agreement is with EE Group Inc. to go back and re-evaluate the sites and plans developed about three years ago, City Engineer Heath Williamson said, which will cost the city about $1,000 more than the original bid for the plans.
Because of the time lapse since the project was discussed, Williamson said the review is needed. There may be changes in the area to be lighted, he said, and he knows there have been changes in electrical codes since the plans were developed.
Insufficient lighting in the area has been a concern for people in the community — and for council member Thomas Worthy for a long time. When Worthy hosted a community meeting at Carver Gym several months ago, a numbers of residents expressed worries about crime along the poorly-lighted street.
Several residents talked then about how a project had been discussed to bring lighting to Tuscaloosa Avenue, but it never materialized.
At the time the plan was developed, the low bid on the project was $119,000. What the cost may be now will have to be determined.
Also Tuesday, the council approved spending Tax Incremental Financing money for design and architectural work at The Venue at Coosa Landing, for a project that would move the Gadsden-Etowah Industrial Development Authority to The Venue, and possibly create co-working space for business/industrial development.
Architect Thomas McElrath will be paid $112,000 for the design work; the estimated cost of the renovation work is $1.7 million.
Approval was given to accept a grant for the Parks and Recreation Department for construction of stairs going to the gorge at Noccalula Falls and a bridge over Cascade Creek.
The council also approved a cemetery lawn maintenance agreement — something council member Johnny Cannon said he believes will be a sign of things to come. Normally, the city's public works crews handled cemetery maintenance, he explained, but difficulty in keeping employees on the job made it more efficient to contract that duty out. He said that may be the case with other tasks.
Approval was given to contract with Complete Security Concepts for polygraph tests, at a cost of $250 per test, as needed. Gadsden Police Capt. Bobby Jackson said the department had three people who could perform the tests; Sgt. Mike Hooks, who retired Tuesday, another officer leaving this week and one out on maternity leave. Jackson said two officers are in school now for polygraphing, so the measure will be a temporary one.
Council President Cynthia Toles referred to personnel shortages in the police department during council comments. She encouraged people to take the test — saying they must be able to pass a drug test — and to apply for jobs with the department.
Contact Gadsden Times reporter Donna Thornton at 256-393-3284 or donna.thornton@gadsdentimes.com.
This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Gadsden council OKs contract to review, revive pedestrian lighting
