Residents will soon see more enhancements in the city of Tallapoosa since the city has been awarded $326,000 for enhancement projects in town.

City Manager Philip Eidson said the installation of lighting, sidewalks, paving, landscaping and other upgrades will come to fruition in the upcoming months thanks to Transportation Enhancement Act (TEA) Grant funding, which the state has issued for revitalization efforts downtown. He noted areas that will see renovations as part of the project are Alabama, Alewine and Lyons Streets. A portion of Highway 78 may also see upgrades, which Eidson said may attract more people into the community to shop and even explore the coveted historic sites in town.

Though the grant will largely cover the project, Eidson said the city has to match 20 percent of it with city funding, which may come out of Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax revenues. However, the project would not be in the works had it not been for the lofty grant they received after their request almost a year ago.

“Certainly the projects are something that we’re able to do through the grant,” he said. “The revitalization projects can create a better shopping environment for downtown and the citizens. We’re thankful for the program and look forward to completing the overall project.”

He added that the grant will enable the city to start on phase three of their revitalization plan for the community. The previous renovations and upgrades began with the installation of street lights, paving, benches and trash receptacles last spring. So far, the city is making progress on the final phase after landing Atlanta-based engineering company, Turnipseed Egineers, to map out specifications and drawings. Then, the city will advertise for bidders for the construction, which Eidson hopes will provide jobs for local residents. He said the city will serve as primary contractors for engineering work while they seek sub-contractors.

City officials say this is a great accomplishment for the city to couple with other successful improvements. Eidson confirmed that the drainage ditch running from Highway 100 to Kiker Street has been repaired. Revenue from left over sales tax collections assisted in that, since the city was denied grant funding they sought out for that particular project.

Meanwhile, Eidson is expecting to see great developments in the city, which will in turn support the community. Additional funding opportunities will also assist in the city’s goal.

“We hope to have plans soon about the Gateway Grant, too,” he added. “It was a $50,000 grant that we don’t have to match. We’re supposed to contribute money from the [Department of Transportation] (as part of the Gateway Grant) to get brown historic signs on I-20. We’re very thankful for the program.”

The city has also recently applied for a Electric Efficiency Community Block grant, which is administered by the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority. The grant, if awarded, would provide the city with $300,000 to install solar panels on 11 city buildings and replace windows in the old Tallapoosa High School.

City officials say they do not expect to hear back from GEFA for a couple of months on whether they will be awarded the grant.