Gadsden City Council approves downtown renovation, sidewalk grant, property conveyances and several ordinances

GADSDEN — The Gadsden City Council on Tuesday approved a package of resolutions and ordinances covering downtown intersection renovations, sidewalk and airport grant applications, property conveyances tied to the South Eleventh Street realignment, a fiber franchise and several administrative changes to personnel and taxation.

Council members voted, by voice, to adopt every item presented during the meeting's business session. Most items passed by unanimous voice vote and were presented with limited debate. The council president called the roll at the start of the meeting and confirmed a quorum was present.

The most prominent items adopted include:

- A resolution awarding Bid No. 3609 for downtown intersection renovations and pedestrian-access improvements to Bob Smith Construction Incorporated for $869,735.50. Councilman Wilson described the project as "the renovation and improvements of the sidewalks and the intersections on Broad Street and Chestnut Street," and said the design aims to change traffic flow to make downtown more pedestrian friendly.

- A resolution authorizing the mayor to apply for airport improvement funding from the Alabama Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration for FY2026. City officials said the city is co-sponsor for the Northeast Alabama Regional Airport and will continue seeking state and federal grants.

- A resolution authorizing donation of 0.751 acres of city-owned property (Tract Number 5) to support the South Eleventh Street partial alignment and resurfacing project, and a related resolution authorizing purchase of mitigation credits from Westervelt Ecological Services LLC for $32,450, required to meet U.S. Army…