Staff photo by Tim Barber/Chattanooga Times Free Press – Rod Robertson takes a look at the stamped concrete walkway in front of the Walker County Courthouse in LaFayette. Phase one of the downtown beautification project is presently underway.By Timothy Bradfield
Correspondent
LAFAYETTE, Ga. — A project is under way in LaFayette to transform the appearance of areas surrounding the downtown square.
The Downtown Streetscape Project extends one block from the square in all directions, city officials say. In addition, it goes north on Main Street to Joe Stock Memorial Park.
“There will be benches, trees, all of the electrical [wiring] is going underground in that area,” City Manager Johnnie Arnold said.
Other enhancements include replacing sections of the concrete sidewalk with pavers and adding sidewalk lamps, shrubbery and grass.
“It will be much more pedestrian friendly,” Arnold said. “If you attract people to the area, then not only the local citizens but the tourists coming through hopefully will stop, and they will eat at the restaurants, shop in the shops here and spend money.”
But retailers have mixed views on the project’s ability to boost business.
Mark Hise sells instruments and gives music lessons at his store, Music on the Square. He doesn’t expect the aesthetic improvements will deliver more customers.
“If we had some nightlife here of some sort, that people could come on the square and eat something at pub-type places or something, and then more retail, it would certainly get more people in this area to shop,” Hise said.
The owner of Debbi’s Flowers and Favors, though, thinks an increase in foot traffic could bring in more business.
“The more people we have walking around, [the more] they’re going to investigate the shops and businesses around the square,” Debbi Hix said.
City officials said the project is being funded by transportation enhancement grants, federal highway funds administered by the Georgia Department of Transportation.
Arnold said the city received a $250,000 grant for the first phase of the project, which has begun in front of the Walker County Courthouse. That phase is set to wrap up in the spring.
The city has secured a $200,000 grant for phase two, he said, which will get under way in August or September of next year, with at least two more phases to follow.
Timothy Bradfield covers Walker County. Contact him at timothyb2010@gmail.com.