The Jasper City Council on Tuesday approved funding for a project that will see nine pickleball courts built at Memorial Park near Swann Gym.
The project will also include fencing and lighting with a total price tag of $690,957. Costing General Contractors, a Bessemer-based company, had the low bid of three bids opened on July 18.
Council members also approved paying for the project out of a Community Improvement Fund that had been created earlier this year with $1 million transferred from the General Fund.
“Using those funds will make it where it won’t affect the bottom line this year on your general fund,” City Clerk Kathy Chambless told council members.
The council also cited to contract with Nelson Engineering Associates for engineering work related to the pickleball project.
“A big piece is this is site prep and corrective work on drainage issues in the area,” Mayor David O’Mary said. “We certainly need an engineer to work through that. Robert Nelson has done many of our sidewalk projects. He is currently working on a West Jasper project that’s around $1.5 million. Nelson is great to work with, knows what he’s doing and will see our project to the end and make sure we get our money’s worth.”
In other action, the council:
- Approved event permits for Unity in the Community Block Party, Aug. 12, 2023, at A.P. Howell Park, blocking part of 25th Street to MLK Drive; POW/MIA Ceremony, VFW, Sept. 14, 2023, Courthouse Square; Walker County Sheriff’s Office Fall Festival, Oct. 28, 2023, in front of Sheriff’s Office, blocking 2nd Ave from Albert Russell Way to 20th Street/Viking Drive.; and Veterans Day Fun Run, American Legion Woods-Smith Post 9, Nov. 11, 2023.
- Approved a budget amendment for the emergency purchase of six police units.
- Approved several nuisance abatements for grass/weeds.
