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By Chase Davis

HOGANSVILLE – The Hogansville City Council has taken the first of many steps needed to apply for a $1 million sidewalk grant through the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT).

If accepted, the city plans to use the grant money to construct a  new sidewalk that will go along W. Boyd Road from its intersection with Highway 29 to its intersection with W. Main Street. According to Hogansville City Manager  Jonathan Lynn, this would serve to connect two major sidewalk networks, as well as to make a number of public amenities more accessible.

“Currently, there is no sidewalk in the area, essentially making it inaccessible for foot traffic. This new sidewalk would not only connect the two sidewalk networks, it would also give people more access to the Splash Pad,” Lynn said.

At its meeting Monday, the council unanimously agreed to adopt several policies required by GDOT before the city is allowed to apply for the grant.

These policies included a Procurement Policy for Engineers and Designers as well as a Title VI Non-Discrimination Agreement.

Despite these initial steps, however, it could still be a long wait before construction actually begins.

“These grant applications take a while, so while I would like to say it will ideally take about one year before they start breaking ground,” Lynn said. “Realistically speaking it’s going to take closer to 18 months.”

As part of the GDOT grant application process, the city council is required to have a public hearing in order to get feedback from the citizens of Hogansville, which will occur June 14 at 6 p.m. Citizens are encouraged to come to express any concerns or ask any questions.