Livingston Gets $523K From T-DOT For Sidewalks

Livingston receiving additional money from T-DOT for its sidewalk improvement project on East Broad Street and East Main Street.

Downtown Revitalization Commission Chair Gene Gantt said the state offering an additional $523,000 to help with rising costs. Gantt said the only requirement for the city to receive the funding is a financial match of some $21,000.

“The original grant was in the sum of $739,000 but since that time the cost of construction has significantly increased, leaving the city with a significant financial shortfall,” Gantt said. “And I’m not sure how this happened, but TDOT recognized the city’s dilemma.”

Aldermen unanimously approved a resolution allowing Mayor Lori Elder Burnett to coordinate the deal with T-DOT. Burnett said the city’s contribution will likely be paid for with funds from its downtown revitalization budget.

“We are currently working through (the budget) based on grant money coming in and reconciling some of the projects we have for the grant,” Burnett said.

Burnett said the city received the original Multimodal Access Grant in March of 2019. Burnett said the project is still planned to not only improve the sidewalks but also make them ADA accessible.

“Through its local programs office, T-DOT has recognized the city’s dilemma,” Burnett said.