Town staff and council members outlined a phased plan to add sidewalks, crosswalks and later lighting along the main corridor of Talking Rock and said the first step is engineering drawings and GDOT review.

Why it matters: Sidewalks and crosswalks are intended to improve pedestrian access between businesses and the park, which council members and business owners said would support events and downtown commerce. The pedestrian bridge idea has remained under discussion but faces statutory and technical constraints that prevent immediate work.

At the meeting, council members said Tony (council member and working-group lead) will prepare sidewalk drawings and submit them to GDOT for review and permitting. Once GDOT approves the plans, the town will solicit at least three bids and then construct ADA-compliant sidewalks in phases. The council said it has funds for concrete work but needs engineered plans and permits before proceeding with crosswalks and lighting.

Council members emphasized grant dependencies: many available grants require detailed engineered cost estimates and precise project scopes to support applications. Amanda (Town staff) said grant cycles are short and require quick turnarounds once an appropriate funding opportunity is identified.

On the pedestrian bridge, councilors and residents said the corridor is a state highway and the site sits in a flood plain. The mayor (role) and council noted that the state DOT has strict rules about pedestrian crossings near state highways and that the flood‑plain designation adds complexity. "It has to be engineered before we can do anything," one council member said. The transcript records repeated references that the bridge will require engineering studies, precise cost estimates and compliance with flood‑plain rules before the town can apply for grants.

Residents asked about supplemental safety measures such as flashing speed indicators; one resident said her husband has contacts for mobile flashing units and the council encouraged further discussion after permits and plans are in hand.

Outcome and next steps: The council directed Tony to produce sidewalk drawings for GDOT, with an expectation that staff will collect three bids and proceed in phased construction. For the bridge, the council agreed the first step is to obtain engineering estimates; council members said they would place engineering costs and procurement on a future agenda once price estimates are available.

Ending: Council members urged businesses and residents to join the working group (meets at 5:30 p.m.) to help with planning, volunteer recruitment and grant preparation. Officials said progress will depend on completed engineering work and successful grant applications.