Major improvements are coming to downtown Alexander City’s water lines thanks to a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant, Gov. Kay Ivey announced Wednesday. The grant will be combined with additional funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission to complete the task.

The goal of the updates is to provide residents and businesses in the area with clean and adequate drinking water.

“The availability of clean water is a necessary and expected service for any town or city,” Gov. Ivey said. “These improvements will provide plentiful water to residents and businesses while improving the fire department’s capability to suppress fires in the area.”

ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell praised the city’s leadership for their role in utilizing the grants.

“Alexander City leaders are to be commended for improving water service with these two grants thus saving the city significant local financial resources in this project,” Boswell said. “ADECA is pleased to join Gov. Ivey, ARC and the city in a project that will benefit many residents in the project area and the city as a whole through new retail development opportunities.”

The water line replacement project will span multiple streets, including Forrest Street, Park Avenue, Houston Street, Semmes Street, and an alley between Green and Broad streets. As part of the upgrade, additional fire hydrants will be installed to enhance firefighting capabilities. Approximately 13 businesses and 80 residences will benefit from the improvements.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.