Votes at a glance: Athens council approves streetscape beautification, Columbus Road lift station and multiple ordinances

Athens City Council adopted multiple ordinances during a special session Monday night. Major outcomes include a $6.5 million appropriation tied to an Appalachian Community Grant for an Uptown streetscape project, authorization for construction and funding of a Columbus Road lift station, and several routine operational ordinances covering parking, street closures and cooperative salt purchasing.

Summary of key votes (ordinance number — short description — outcome)

• Ordinance 35‑25 — Athens Streetscape Beautification (Project 383) — approved. Council authorized engineering and construction using $6,500,000 in Appalachian Community Grant funds to support an Uptown streetscape project that includes burying overhead utilities, lighting and curb/sidewalk improvements. Member Wood recused; the ordinance passed with the remaining members voting in favor.

• Ordinance 36‑25 — Columbus Road lift station (Project 359) — approved. Council authorized construction and appropriated $1,750,000 total for the project ($120,000 from a CDBG fund and $1,630,000 from the sewer fund) to replace two aging lift stations and support growth on Columbus Road tied to new development and a hospital site.

• Ordinance 34‑25 — State…