The City of Troy recently applied for federal funds that would mean safer sidewalks for several downtown streets.
If awarded, the Transportation Alternatives Program grant would cover $383,000, leaving the city to pay some non-reimbursable items and a fraction of the construction costs.
“It’s basically an 80/20 match,” said Mayor Jason Reeves.
Planning and Zoning Administrator Melissa Sanders has been looking into funding sources that would cover a project like this for some time. She applied for a similar grant last year.
“This is going to be a great thing if we get the grant,” she said.
Tim Ramsden of CDG Engineers and Associates is lead engineer for the proposed project. He said the push to improve downtown sidewalks is to make them compliant with the Americans with  Disabilities Act.
The street-scaping would be a lagniappe in most cases, but Sanders said some of it would improve safety.
“We are using landscaping as a buffer to create a safer walking zone on West Walnut Street,” she said.
The grant would cover improvements on the first block of West Walnut Street (just west of Three Notch Street). Street-scaping would run along the south side of the road in front of the Emporium and continue around the corner along South Three Notch Street up to Elm Street in front of Landmark Realty.
The block of East Church and South Oak Streets that surround the Pike County Chamber building would see improvements and some street-scaping. One block of Love Street, adjacent to Flo’s Restaurant, The Home Gallery and Aposha Cafe and Hookah Lounge would also get some TLC.
“We also have highlighted Elm Street where you come off the bridge,” Sanders said. “We’re going to try to fix the sidewalks and landscaping.”
Though, the project will not cover every noncompliant sidewalk, it will be a step in the right direction and will help the downtown area in other ways, said Ramsden.
“Anytime you do a revitalization like this, it helps store owners,” he said. “It really brings people into the community.”
The City should hear something back about the grant by October.