The Andalusia City Council agreed to transfer $10,000 in seed money to the Downtown Redevelopment Authority to restart its façade renewal grant program.
The grants are available up to $5,000 and are made on a 50-50 matching basis to businesses located in the area represented by the DRA. Their purpose is to give business owners the means to improve the look or “outer facade” of their properties.
The grants are available to business owners in the following areas:
Along Church Street from the railroad tracks down to Third Avenue.
Along South Cotton Street from the railroad tracks to Troy Street.
Opp Avenue to the corner of Crescent Street.
Pear Street, Coffee Street, Troy Street. For more information or to receive an application packet, contact the city clerk’s office at 222-3313.
Andalusia Star News
Members wrestle with funding options
for proposed $8M in AHS improvements
Members of the Andalusia Board of Education on Monday asked for more information before taking action the superintendent’s recommendation that they ask the Andalusia City Council to secure a bond for proposed construction projects.
For months, the board of education, the city council, and the council’s specially-appointed Public Building Authority (PBA) has been discussing renovations of the Andalusia High School auditorium and stadium. Members of the PBA have been soliciting private contributions for the project, and there is $1 million in education sales tax proceeds that have been set aside for the project, giving the board approximately $1.75 million on hand with which to start the projects, for which are expected to cost approximately $8 million as currently designed.
Superintendent Ted Watson recommended board members ask the council to seek financing with the following conditions:
The bond would be secured for an amount of no less than $4 million and no more than $6 million.
The bond would be the liability of the City of Andalusia, to be paid using the half-cent sales tax revenue collected by the city for the school system.
The payment of the bond would be made over the duration of no less than 15 years and no more than 30 years.
When pushed for additional information, Watson said the price tag for the project has not yet been determined.
“We won’t know anything in solid terms until we bid everything out,” Watsons aid. “The architects are projecting a range for $8 million to $8.5 million.”
Watson said early estimates are the auditorium project will cost $3.5 to $3.8 million. The project includes demolition of the current stage area, expanding that end of the building, new seats, acoustical improvements and a new sound system, as well as new restroom facilities that would serve both the auditorium and the gymnasium.
The stadium project, which is estimated at $4.2 million, can be done in phases, Watson said, adding that a possible solution would be to begin the auditorium project, and rebuild the press box and home bleachers of the stadium, then reassess the financial situation.
One of the board’s concerns is that demolition in the auditorium means the facility won’t be available for homecoming, and the facility possibly wouldn’t... Read More>
Andalusia Star News
Locals turn out in droves to see new ‘Fast and Furious’ movie
By noon on Friday, there were people waiting to buy tickets to the 1 p.m. matinee at the newly renovated Clark Theatre in downtown Andalusia.
“We sold out the 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, and 8 p.m. shows of The Fate of the Furious,” local manager Michael Kimbril said. “And Boss Baby almost sold out.” Kimbril said there were all ages visiting the theater on Friday.
“I think half of it was because people were interested in the movie, and half was because it’s brand new,” he said.
Last January, the City of Andalusia announced a partnership in which the building, then owned by the O’Neal family, was donated to the city. In turn, the city completely renovated the facility, adding a new HVAC system, moving the restrooms and snack bar, and adding new seating, including recliners in the downstairs theaters.
Clark Theatres owner Mack Clark said the recliners are a huge hit.
New food items will be added to the snack bar in coming weeks, but on Friday, the most popular item was nachos with jalapenos, Paul Hodge said.
“They’re killing us trying to keep up.”
Tickets are $7.50 for the matinee. Evening ticket prices are $8 for children; $10 for adults; $8 for seniors over age 6; and $8 for those with a military identification.
Andalusia Star News
Retired Air Force pilot, Lt. Col. Ed Yeilding will discuss his record setting coast-to-coast flight in the SR-71 Blackbird during a presentation in Andalusia this week.
In 1990, the Florence, Ala.-native set the official coast-to-coast aircraft speed record, which still stands today. Yeilding, and Reconnaissance Systems Officer J.T. Vida flew coast-to-coast in 67 minutes and 54 seconds, reaching speeds up to 2,190 miles per an hour and an altitude of 83,000 feet. Today, the same SR-71 is on display at the Smithsonian’s Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles International Airport west of Washington, D.C.
Yeilding will speak at 4 p.m. Thurs., April 20, in city hall auditorium. Admission is free and open to the public. Yeilding was a 2007 inductee into the Alabama Aviation Hall of Fame at the Southern Museum of Flight in Birmingham and was added to the Walk of Honor near the Marriott Shoals Hotel in Florence in 2008. In 2011, he was named a Distinguished Eagle Scout. His military awards include three Meritorious Service Medals, four Air Medals, three Commendation Medals, and four Combat Readiness Medals.
Yeilding is a friend of Andalusia’s Terry Pickard, who organized the event.
At 7 that night, he will have a question and answer session at the fellowship hall of First United Methodist Church.
Andalusia Star News
Annual sMiles for Megan 5K is slated for May 6
Continuing Megan Kelley’s vision to help others, the Megan Kelley Smiles Foundation has expanded its coverage area and has partnered with Meredith’s Miracles.
The foundation was created two years ago. Donna Kelley said that while her daughter, Megan, received an outpouring of love and support from the community while battling cancer, she noticed that adult patients didn’t always receive the same attention as children and teens.
“In the foundation, we have decided to serve locals ages 18 to 26, who live within 90 miles of Andalusia,” Kelley said. “We have increased our distance.”
Additionally, Kelley said that the assistance from the Megan Smiles Foundation is not only for those who are battling cancer.
“We are going to pick-up where Meredith’s Miracles stops,” she said.
Meredith’s Miracles provides assistance for children birth through 18, who need to go outside of Andalusia for specialty care.
Meredith’s Miracles director Emily Yehling is handing the bookkeeping and distributing assistance for the organization.
To continue the foundation’s work, the organization is hosting is annual sMiles for Megan 5K and fun run on May 6. “Smiles for Megan is held in honor of Megan, who battled cancer for almost two years,” Kelley said. “During that time, her smile and positive attitude helped bring the message of Christ to others.”
The deadline to register for the run and receive a T-shirt is April 21 and the cost is $25. Late registration will cost $30.
The fun run entry fee is $15.
`To pre-register, visit www.mksmiles.org or forms are available at JM Jackson, First South Farm Credit and Harold’s Furniture.
This year, the foundation also is selling yard signs that can be printed in honor or memory of cancer patients. The signs are $25. For signage information, contact Kelley at .
Andalusia Star News