Demopolis City Council talks adding sidewalks on Cedar Avenue for healthcare high students

The city of Demopolis needs sidewalks along South Cedar Avenue and crosswalks across Highway 80 in preparation of the healthcare high school opening, the city council said at their Jan. 22 meeting.

Demopolis resident Jim Parr urged the council to look into adding sidewalks and crosswalks to accommodate foot traffic that will come when the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences opens on Cedar Avenue in a few years. Students will be walking down Cedar Avenue to go to Whitfield Regional Hospital, and a designated crosswalk across Highway 80 would be a boon to businesses on the other side of the busy highway, he said.

Demopolis Mayor Woody Collins agreed. He said the city has worked with state traffic engineers on roads and highways, but they haven’t talked with them about sidewalks and crosswalks.  

There may be some state funds available, and UAB, who is affiliated with Whitfield Regional Hospital, may have funds available to build sidewalks to encourage people to walk for exercise, Collins said.

Councilman Hugh Overmyer urged Collins to hire an engineer to get the project moving rather than waiting for the state. “Let’s build some sidewalks,” he said at the end of the meeting. “We’re behind.”

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Collins announced that Demopolis Cable will go up $8 a month, to $88. The cable provider is required to notify the city of rate changes.

Collins told the council that the city is working with Hale County on a state resolution to annex Gallion into Demopolis to expediate expansion on Highway 69. Gallion is just east of Demopolis and just over the Marengo County line.

Businesses on corners can now have a sign facing each street. The council approved a resolution allowing businesses to have two signs on their property. The previous ordinance limited businesses to one sign.

The council approved rezoning some property on Jefferson Road from residential to agricultural use.

The council tabled a request from LaTonya Williams for an entertainment district for a high school reunion on June 13 at the Theo Ratliff Activity Center.