Prattville to spend American Rescue Plan Act money on park upgrades, road paving

PRATTVILLE — The city will spend $2.5 million of its recovery act money on park improvements and resurfacing streets.

The American Rescue Plan Act sent money to local and state governments to make up for revenue lost during the pandemic. Prattville received $8.54 million.

The City Council approved the spending of $1.5 million on a streets resurfacing project and another $1 million on improving North Highland Park, Spinners Park and Coach Lorenzo "Lo" Pickett Park.

The recovery funds will be added to the city's own resurfacing fund, which is fueled by a four-cent per gallon gasoline tax. The city's fund has about $900,000, said Mayor Bill Gillespie.

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"Hopefully, we will see a resurfacing project completed by the end of the calendar year," he said.

Plans are now to use the ARPA funding to pay for resurfacing Tara Drive and Summer Lane, which serve as major neighborhood collectors in east Prattville. Tara Drive also gives access to Daniel Pratt Elementary School. Other streets to be resurfaced will be based on their condition.

As to the park funding, the city also picked up a new park during Tuesday night's council meeting. North Highland Park was the site of North Highland School, where Black students went during the days of segregation.

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There has been some question as to who owned the property, the city or the Autauga County Board of Education, although the city had maintained the park for years. During the meeting, the city agreed to take ownership of the park from the board.

Plans are to build a pavilion at the park, along with improved restroom facilities and a general sprucing up. Spinners Park is owned by Prattville Spinners, a civic group, which hosts an annual arts and crafts show at the park. The city also maintains the park. Under the plan the park will get restroom facilities and new playground equipment.

Lorenzo "Lo" Pickett park will get additional restroom facilities on the upper portion of the park and new playground equipment.

Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Marty Roney at mroney@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Prattville to spend American Rescue Plan Act money on parks, roads