Park Street Sidewalks

Hello, All!

I made it back from Tennessee, and now it is time to start talking about the great city of Troy, Alabama again!

Today we are going to talk about some pretty big changes that are currently underway in the downtown area on Park Street!

If anyone passes by this area on a regular basis, you might have noticed bright orange traffic cones lining the side of the street, construction trucks and workers and roadwork signs. This is because the city of Troy is constructing a sidewalk down the street!

Troy’s TAP2016 project works towards implementing the Downtown Plan by working on the pedestrian and bicycle link between the University and downtown.

This sidewalk aims at giving residents of Troy an alternate transportation route that is safe from motorists on the actual street.

Having sidewalks that completely link the downtown area to Troy University also promotes healthier habits such as walking or cycling to class, work or for leisure or exercise.

According to Melissa Sanders, the director of planning and zoning for the city of Troy, the addition of this new sidewalk also aims at encouraging new developments such as businesses, apartment complexes and more.

“The addition of the approximately 1340’ of concrete sidewalk will improve the existing transportation system, as well as, enhance the overall curb appeal along Park Street in this area. The addition of a concrete sidewalk will greatly impact the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists traveling to and from downtown Troy and Troy University. The new sidewalk will provide a designated walking and biking path where none previously existed. Additionally, the proposed sidewalk will provide an ADA compliant travel way over steep slopes related to the nearby ravine and drainage features.  In the area adjacent to the ravine/drainage area, there will be a railing to improve safety of the pedestrians and bicyclists using the sidewalk.” 

And while Sanders could not definitely say without a shadow of a doubt that these new sidewalks would promote tourism in the downtown area, she did confirm that there is a large draw to tourism that comes with having maintained, easily accessible sidewalks in an area. After all, people are more likely to frequent places of interest if they are easier and safer to access.

Check back next week for more content!

Happy Travels!