City of Marianna Approves Downtown Revitalization Budget
At a special meeting on Friday, Marianna city commissioners approved a budget for phase II of the Downtown Revitalization Project.
The CDBG, or Community Development Block Grant program, awarded the city with $372,076.00 last December for these improvements with the stipulation that they be used by Sept. 30.
The city had originally planned to use $150,000 of its own money but voted to increase its share on Friday to fund street lights from Bertram Street to the Chipola River Bridge.
Depending on whether contingency money is used for emergencies or the additional lighting, the city could spend anywhere between $103,547 to $130,547. The additional funds will come from CRA funds over a two year period.
This phase is now budgeted to cost about $617,732, which may change if contingency money is used and after a review of inspection and grant administration costs.
The project aims to beautify Downtown Marianna. FPU will relocate electric lines on the southside of Highway 90 to Jackson Street, improving the look of both streets, said city engineer David Melvin.
Telephone and electrical lines will also be moved underground from Madison Street to the Chipola River Bridge. Sidewalk improvements will be done from Madison Street to Bertram Street. Landscaping will be done on Highway 90.