Zebulon council updated on streetscape improvements

Zebulon’s sidewalks and curbs will soon extend even further beyond the courthouse square as the city council recently received an update from the city’s engineer on the progress of the plans for Phase 3 of downtown streetscape improvements. The proposed improvements are projected to cost $520,000 and will include new curbs, gutters, drainage, sidewalks, ADA compliant crosswalks and other upgrades along Concord Street and down Barnesville Street. New sidewalks and improvements on Concord Street will be made from Head Street to Church Street on the side where the First Baptist Church is located and on the other side of Concord Street from Franklin Street to Head Street. Additionally, the project includes improving the sidewalk along Barnesville Street from United Bank Operations Center to Depot Street and the installation of a new sidewalk along Depot Street to Jackson Street to the Oak Village Apartments.’We are trying to extend the reach of the sidewalks out beyond the courthouse square,’ said city council member Joe Walter. ‘This will give folks who live in Oak Village and other homes along Concord and Barnesville Streets the ability to walk safely to town.’ The city will receive around $400,000 in federal funding for the project and the city will provide around $120,000 in construction costs as well as the design and acquisition costs. The local share of the costs will come from the city of Zebulon’s most recent SPLOST allocation. Before construction can start on the road improvements, the city will have several acquisition issues to deal with but officials hope to start the project before the end of the year. The city received approval for the federal funding for Phase 3 in 2011, but focused on completing Phase 2 first before tackling the current project. Council member Walter also said that the federal requirements have gotten more strict since the funding was approved for Phase 3, so the time and cost of the project has increased more than the city had wanted.The first phase of the project was completed in 2007 and included sidewalks, curbs, gutters and more around the courthouse square. Phase 2 of the project started in August 2015 and expanded the sidewalks, fixed drainage issues and added lighting along Concord Street from Highway 19 south to Adams Street; Adams Street from Concord Street to Jackson Street; Jackson Street from Adams Street to Highway 19 south; and the city parking lot behind the west side buildings.