Troy took one step further towards formalizing a downtown revitalization plan on Tuesday.

The city council gave approval to seek a $40,000 Community Development Block Grant to assist with the project.

“The funding will help cover costs of creation of the plan,” Planning Administrator Melissa Sanders said. “This grant application is the initial step toward forming the plan.”

According to the proposal, the project would help formulate long-range strategies that will promote and encourage economic growth in the city’s central business district and secondary areas such as Railroad Avenue, Murphree Street, Madison Street, Elm Street and Three Notch Street.

Sanders said the city is seeking to invest $50,000 in the planning process, with the bulk of the funding coming from the CDBG, if approved. The city will fund the remaining $10,000.

Sanders said the plan will give a unified vision for all future projects involving the downtown area and public input will be involved in creating the plan.

The council also approved a second CDBG application to help fund water system improvements.

“The funding would go towards all kinds of improvements,” Mayor Jason Reeves said. “It’s time for an update — we need to update water infrastructure in older parts of town.”

The application is for $450,000 in funds that would be coupled with $1.93 million local funds allocated through the State Revolving Fund via the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.

The project would include water system improvements on U.S. Highway 231, Hunting Camp Line, Braswell and Trojan Way, Terrace Trail, Orion Street, Fairview Avenue, North Three Notch Street, Boyd Street and Adams Street.

The mayor was given authority by an approved resolution to accept the Troy Animal Shelter Coalition Inc.’s donation of two acres of land on Henderson Highway. The land will be the future home of the Pike County Animal Shelter. The donation included two parcels of land given by Walt and Debra Stell and Any Murphree.

“I’m very grateful to the Stells and Murphrees for the contributions to the location,” Reeves said. “We are looking forward to moving ahead to site prep, planning and design. It will be in a visible, centrally located area.”

In other business, the council:

Approved a work squad agreement with the Alabama Department of Corrections continuing the use of work release inmates from the Elba facility.

Approved a resolution declaring weeds a public nuisance on a property located 116 Hilltop Drive.