Work to improve the infrastructure and look of downtown Tallassee has been ongoing for nearly two years – and the finish line is getting close.
Two different projects and a demolition project have all happened downtown since December 2021. Tallassee Public Works director James Gardner said the projects are coming to an end.
“They are looking at somewhere around the end of February being done,” Gardner said. “They have started on asphalt and it is looking good. There is still more work to be done.”
Councilmember Linda Mosher owns a dress shop on Ann Street. Just recently the sidewalk in front of her store was torn away to be replaced as part of the TAP streetscape project downtown. She is pleased with the work.
“Downtown is looking great,” Mosher said. “I walk that block quite frequently. If you start on Ann Street now you can see what it is like in progress. But when you go around the block and see what it is going to be.”
In the last 10 days contractors have started to install asphalt. The final wear layer is one of the last steps in the project. Even without all the asphalt in place and ongoing construction, Mosher said she likes the transformation.
“It is unbelievable,” Mosher said. “They have done a fantastic job. We are going to have a new city.”
The ALDOT TAP streetscape project was in the planning stages more than five years ago and was estimated at the time to cost $725,000 with Tallassee providing a 20 percent match.
With many of the city utilities downtown being 40, 50 or more years old, it was decided the gas, sewer and water lines needed to be replaced before putting fresh asphalt over them.
In December 2021 city leaders approved a $1,493,925 bid for infrastructure under the streets. It also approved the demolition of the Hotel Talisi.
Earlier this year the council approved a bid for the streetscape and repaving in the amount of $1,884,752.40. The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) provided $1.1 million in grant funding for the project. The city’s match for the grant totals $205,000 but the city is also funding the repaving of the streets.
With the work entering the final stages, Mosher believes the work will make downtown Tallassee attractive to many and not just to shop.
“Get ready because everybody is going to want to come,” she said. “It is better than I could have ever dreamed.”