Moody begins improvement program | News

MOODY — Moody has joined an organization named Your Town to begin city improvements. It’s designed to work with cities that do not have a downtown district.

In May, Pro-tem Linda Crowe, Council Member Ellie Key and Melissa Fraser will attend a workshop to learn more about the program.

Crowe and other city council members learned about the program through collaborating with Main Street Alabama, a nonprofit that also seeks to improve cities. She said she believes the planners with Your Town will be able to successfully work with Moody to help solve issues.

“It kind of helps you get things in order with your city improvements and they give you guidance,” said Crowe at Monday night’s council meeting.

Mayor Joe Lee described the project as Crowe’s “baby” because she’s the one who spearheaded the collaboration.

“She got the idea from when they did Wetumpka. They brought in those folks that redid the town. We can’t get that here, but we can do something to upgrade our community.”

The organization is led by planners, architects, historians, engineers and other professionals to expose community leaders to making decisions following asset-based planning techniques.

According to the Your Town Alabama’s website, its main goals are to help cities focus on overcoming barriers that prevent communities from seeing real economic development.

“Our city needs a little sprucing up and we’re hoping that this will give us some ideas,” said Council Member Lynn Taylor.

In other business, the council:

Approved buying the fire department a heater pressure washer for $39,000.

Approved improving crossing road, red light and turning lane issues on HWY 411 and Park Avenue. This is projected to be a $2.6 million project.

Approved the library’s request to fund supplies and performers for the summer reading program.

Approved the spending of $798.38 the front of city hall to receive new landscaping and flowers.