The design stage for the restoration of two downtown Columbus alleyways has begun.
In May, the Mississippi Department of Transportation awarded Columbus $160,000 in grant funding through its Transportation Alternatives Program provided that the city sets aside $40,000 of its own. The Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau pledged $30,000 of that with the city using general funds to take care of the rest. The money will pay to refurbish two alleyways between Catfish Alley and the courtyard beside the Tennessee Williams Home and Welcome Center — one on the north side of Jones Cafe and another on the south side.
Local engineering firm Neel-Schaffer was given notice to proceed on the project design by city councilmen last week. It will be paid $26,497 for its services.
Kevin Stafford of Neel-Schaffer said the project is designed to provide an aesthetic walking connection between the two historic areas. Little construction will be needed in the alley on the south side of Jones Cafe, Stafford said. The existing bricks there will be cleaned and sealed so they’re preserved.
There is no sidewalk currently on the alley on the restaurant’s north side. One will be built there as well as a set of stairs and a handicap-accessible ramp, Stafford said. A multi-purpose landing area on the courtyard side will follow. The south alley will not be designed to be accessible in accordance with the American Disabilities Act because it is too narrow, he said.
Additional lighting and landscaping would be added using any leftover funds, Stafford said.
Design should take about a month, but the firm has to acquire right-of-way. MDOT has to approve how right-of-way is required along with the design itself for the project to go out for bid, Stafford said, which will likely occur in January. The firm is shooting for the project to be done in mid-2015, he said.
Nathan Gregory covers city and county government for The Dispatch.
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