Because of a deadline approaching in just a few days, the Hope City Board convened Monday at noon for a special meeting and approved a resolution to apply for a grant that, if Hope is chosen, will fix a span of sidewalk along the south side of East Third.

Assistant City Manager Daniel Shelman explained, after the meeting was called to order by Mayor Don Still and the prayer and pledge of allegiance were said, that while the board had approved applying for the grant in a previous meeting, it needed to pass a resolution to allow the use of federal aid to fund the project.

If Hope wins the grant, it would be responsible for 20 percent of the cost of it, which would amount to $122,000 with the overall cost totaling $557,000.  

“This project is for sidewalk improvements along Third Street from Elm down to Laurel. So it's four blocks there. It's about just over 1,000 linear feet of sidewalk,” Shelman said.  The work would also include, he said, “new lighting, ADA compliance, and some areas [that] need a little improvement to just make it more visually appealing, with some curb repair.”

The resolution to apply for the Transportation Alternatives Program grant was passed unanimously by the board. Directors Steve Montgomery, Reggie Easter and Vice-mayor Kiffinea Talley voted in person.  Directors Trevor Coffee and Mark Ross voted over Zoom. Shelman said he would send the application out today.  The application deadline is Wednesday.

The meeting adjourned at about 12:15 p.m.