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Fami liar faces of Elgin city management came together last week to celebrate improved town connectivity, christening several new sidewalks made possible through generous grants.
Gathering at the Chamber of Commerce, the sidewalk dedication marked new walkable strips stretching over five streets. The fresh concrete runs along Central Avenue, Depot Street, Avenue A, Avenue B, Avenue C and S Main Street, connecting to existing sidewalks.
Thanks to a grant from the Texas Department of Agriculture and their Community Development Block Grant program, along with the Texas Department of Transportation, it’s now possible to walk from the Recreation Center through Memorial Park and downtown, connecting public spaces and schools, all the way to Cleveland Street.
“It’s wonderful to have connectivity in our city now,” said Mayor Theresa McShan. “We want to celebrate and say thank you to TXDoT for partnering with us, to Amy [Miller] for working so hard on getting grants. She’s my grant Guru.”
The CDBG program provided $500,000 for the new walkways, committed to improving walkability and accessibility throughout historic downtown and surrounding neighborhoods across Texas.
Along with TXDoT’s partnership, who had representatives at the event, this marks over $1 million of grant money dedicated to lining Elgin streets with sidewalks.
Mayor McShan is not stopping here, though. “We need to go a little bit further,” she said.
McShan plans for the paths to ultimately continue through Washington Elementary School and Thomas Park with another TXDoT funded project, hopefully to break ground in 2025.
Pictures from Elgin’s Media Specialist Sonia Browder concluded the affair, bringing members from different city establishments together in celebration. Attendees included Police Chief Chris Noble with some of his fellow officers, Main Street Manager Kristina Alvarez, Community Development Director Amy Miller, city council members and parks and recreation devotees.
