ALMA (KFSM) – Alma residents could soon see changes in downtown as city leaders come up with creative ways to develop the area. The sidewalks could soon be expanded in the near future.
Leaders with the Alma Planning Commission and members of the Alma Visionary Group talked about current projects that are underway right now, and also projects for the upcoming year.
The big project in the works is the relocation of Arkansas Highway162. The goal for this project is to reduce traffic in the immediate downtown area. After the construction is completed on the highway the streetscaping of the sidewalks will start. City leaders will have a future plan on what they want the downtown area will look like.
They will not be getting rid of the historic downtown charm, but they do want to make the area more up to date. So to do this, they want to widen the sidewalks.
Instead of being only 10 feet wide, the new sidewalks would be 12 feet wide. This will allow more people to walk around the area and move around easier. This will also include new seating, lighting along the sidewalks, and more trees.
City leaders hope the new look of the streets and landscape will encourage more property owners to move to the downtown area. “Alma is a small footprint, but it has a lot to offer,” said Mark Yardley, Alma Public Works Director. He adds, that we want to make it the best community around.
The Highway 162 project is expected to be completed by the spring of next year. Afterwards, crews will start on construction of the new sidewalks.
This is one of many topics that are being discussed by Alma city leaders. Other topics include way finding signs, and a new city mandated trash service.
