Staff Reports news@times-journal.com

The latest update on the downtown sidewalk improvement project came Wednesday, from Fort Payne Mayor Brian Baine.

He said contractors had gotten what they need to complete drainage work at the corner of 1st Street in front of The Spot, and were expected to complete work there, and continue working to finish. Up the east side from 2nd Street to 3rd Street.

Baine said he has copies of plans at city hall that show changes made to preserve two parking spots downtown, and for the plan as a whole.

The mayor said the contractor hopes to finish the 2nd-3rd Street work, then move to 5th Street and work south from there.

He also provided information on some of what the city and the Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce is doing to help promote businesses downtown while the work is underway:

Placed newspaper ads in the Times-Journal and the Ground Hog

Put out A-frame signs designating parking areas, promoting the “Shop Local” campaign, and asking people to “Pardon our Progress.”

Pushed information out on social media

Emailing people with information

Baine said Fort Payne Main Streets is updating the map in Pete’s Alley and possibly will put up one or two more of the maps at different places to direct people.

The long awaited work on downtown sidewalks was made available throught a TAPP grant. The project will install new sidewalks, with handicapped access, from First Street to Fifth Street.

City officials had expected the work to be completed earlier in the year, but several local business owners expressed concerns about people being detoured away from downtwon during the busy holiday shopping season.

City leaders then began work on limiting the disruption to commercial businesses downtown, and to making sure customers know businesses are open as well as where public parking is avaialable, even if it is a few steps farther away from their favorite stores.