Monroeville receives $175,000 for downtown improvements

The City of Monroe famous for being the hometown of "To Kill a Mockingbird" author Harper Lee recently received a $175,000 from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) to improve part of the downtown area. 

“Monroeville is not only a place of charm and good people, it also is a shining example that small cities, particularly their downtowns, can thrive and prosper,” Gov. Kay Ivey said. “I am pleased to award these funds to help bring new economic opportunities to Monroeville.”

The funding comes as a Community Development Block Grant or CDBG that will be used to renovate several buildings as a restaurant, retail shop and housing. They are expected to employ an estimated 25 people. 

Funding will also be used for needed upgrades to the sewage lines first installed in the 1930s, to reconstruct a parking area and install sidewalks in the rear of the buildings.

The firm, Forty-two East, will renovate the former Monroe County Bank building located at 5 N. Mt. Pleasant Avenue to include four upstairs apartments with retail and office space.

JWJ Investment Properties is set to renovate two buildings on Mt. Pleasant Avenue, which will be used for a pizza restaurant, as well as a retail and wine shop in one of the buildings and a loft apartment in the other building.

Alabama Dumpster plans for an expansion of its own existing building.

“This project is a culmination of people working together to get things done to make a good community even better,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “I join Gov. Ivey in commending local leaders for their diligence in making this project a reality.”