The Mississippi Department of Transportation has approved a $75,000 grant to help renovate a portion of Fulton Street.
Greenwood Mayor Carolyn McAdams mentioned the grant at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
McAdams said although the grant won’t be enough to do the entire street from the old Columbus & Greenville Railway tracks to Front Street, it will help with providing handicapped-accessible sidewalks and historic street lighting.
She estimated the funding would be enough to do the work from the railroad tracks to Washington Street. The city is required to provide a 20 percent match before the work can begin.
In another revitalization project, the council approved hiring Malouf Construction for work involving an ongoing $1.1 million streetscape project along Main Street, which will run from Johnson Street to Front Street.
Malouf’s bid for the estimated work was $1.27 million, which was the lowest and best figure.
In other business, the council discussed the problem of illegal dumping. Public Works Director Susan Bailey and Code Enforcement Officer Betty Stigler addressed the problem.
Ward 6’s David Jordan said three groups — students visiting from the University of Indiana on May 25, a group of West Point cadets coming May 30 and participants in the James Meredith March Celebration on June 30 — require more vigorous patrols by the Police Department.
Jordan said the whole city needs to look good, not just the downtown and commercial areas.
More needs to be done to throughout the city to help tourism, and “the best way to boost it is to clean it up,” he said.
Ward 1’s Johnny Jennings suggested that residents who see illegal dumping call the police.
Ward 5’s Andrew Powell suggested, for those residents who are reluctant to come forward, that a reward be offered for reporting illegal dumping.
City Attorney Don Brock said a better alternative would be to have residents call Greenwood-Leflore-Carroll Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
In other business, the council approved:
• A memorandum of agreement with Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp. to implement a Community Development Block Grant for business expansion. The company currently employs more than 600 people. An additional 75 employees are expected with the grant’s approval.
• The sale of the former Shipley Doughnut building on Howard Street for $10,000 to Robert Jeems, who gave the highest of three bids. Jeems owns Jeems Diner, a nearby business.
• Naming McAdams as the city’s voting delegate at the Mississippi Municipal League’s annual meeting in June. Jordan and Jennings will serve as alternates.
• The appointment of Claudia White to the Greenwood Historic Preservation Commission.
• The appointment of Paulette Palmer to the Greenwood Housing Authority Board. Palmer’s husband, Ward 7’s Carl Palmer, recused himself from voting. Ward 2’s Lisa Cookston and Ward 4’s Charles McCoy were absent Tuesday. The vote of the remaining council members was unanimous.
• Contact Bob Darden at 581-7239 or bdarden@gwcommonwealth.com.
