HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Just like our roadways are in constant need of repair, so are the roads less traveled, AKA sidewalks.
Luckily, for those who live in and walk around Huntsville, a good many of them are about to receive facelifts in the next coming weeks.
"As a result of the redistricting process, Downtown became part of the district that I represent and that was one of the things that I saw right off the bat that needed to be addressed. The sidewalks should be something that people can enjoy. I'm more of a meat and potatoes type; let's take what we have, whether it's roads, whether it's sidewalks; repair them, so that they can be better utilized," said District 4 Councilmember, Bill Kling.
There was already money set aside for 2022 sidewalk repairs but thanks to another council member, those funds set aside are much larger.
A few of these sidewalk sections include brick walkways that will be rebuilt, such as: Franklin Street to the south of Williams Avenue, Clinton Avenue and Eustis Avenue.
Sidewalk sections set to be leveled and smoothed out include Thorton Avenue, Echols Avenue, McClung Avenue, Holmes Avenue, Pansy Street, Lagrande Street and Alabama Street.
"The proposal that we have is based upon a motion that Councilwoman Akridge [Councilmember Francis Akridge of District 2] had made when we were doing the budget. She said let's raise it from X dollars to two and a half times that amount and the council unanimously supported her motion, we now had a 250% increase thanks to Councilwoman Akridge, and its housing benefits all over the city," said Kling.
Repairing these sidewalks is about more than just checking off a box on the City's to-do list.
Repairing these sidewalks further provides safety and a better quality of life for all who live here.
"I see parents pushing baby carriages, they don't have to go out into the streets. Elderly people are able to get out and enjoy the sidewalks and, you know, this is what we like for all of our neighborhoods in the city to be like," said Kling.