The Cleveland Downtown Development Authority is moving forward with projects to enhance the downtown area. At their meeting last week, the authority heard a report that their Appalachian Regional Commission Grant application is awaiting approval in Washington.
Director of Economic Development and Planning for the city, Tom O’Bryant said the funding has received the pre-application approval and he feels the fund for the financing will be approved. The city is seeking funding for up to $100,000 to create a development plan for Cleveland’s downtown and approaching areas.
The grant, if approved, would provide 50 percent of the funding for a consultant, with the city to pay for the other 50 percent. O’Bryant said he hopes by this fall to have a consultant hired.
Downtown businesses and the public will be given an opportunity to have input on what they see is needed.
O’Bryant also reported that the city’s application for a Georgia Department of Transportation ‘Transportation Alternative Grant’ has received preliminary funding for up to $500,000 which will allow the city to develop a plan for a pedestrian sidewalk that would connect Freedom Park to Cleveland City Park.
The city would pay 20 percent of the cost. O’Bryant said that following the preliminary work, they can then seek construction funding from GDOT for the project.
