Grant to fund streetscape enhancement | Collierville IndependentCollierville Independent

Collierville has been awarded an $880,000 grant to enhance pedestrian and bicyclist safety with sidewalks, crosswalks, landscaping, benches and bike racks in the vicinity of Center Street and Keough Road, near Highway 72.

The allocation is part of the second phase of Collierville Center Connect and will be disbursed by the Metropolitan Planning Organization, through the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

Grant recipients are rated through a competitive process based on content, need and structure of the proposed project. This is the second grant received for Collierville Center Connect. Phase one is currently under design and will likely begin in late 2015, pending TDOT review and approvals.

Through a competitive process by the Memphis Metropolitan Planning Organization, Collierville Center Connect phase two received a rate of 84.52, the highest ranking issued and also received the largest individual grant.

“We also had 23 letters of support that were included in the submission from various stakeholders, such as property owners, public officials and organizations,” said Scott Henninger, project manager for the town’s Planning Division.

Referencing the two project phases, Jaime Groce, director of Planning said the objective is to “improve efficiency, reduce costs and reduce the duration of construction activity on Center Street.”

“The town is working with TDOT to synchronize the design and construction of this project by combining phases one and two together,” he said. “Design of this project is likely to occur in 2014, with construction in 2015 possible.”

The project route on Center Street is a main axis of movement to and from Historic Town Square, businesses along Center Street and along Highway 72, and the people who live along and adjacent to Center Street.

When completed, it will open up cycling and pedestrian access to the community and allow many more opportunities to walk or bike the route.

The project will link cycling and pedestrian facilities under construction on Highway 72 to SuggsPark and the Historic Town Square.

New pedestrian crosswalks and signage will be added to the corridor to improve safety and provide ADA accessibility. A portion of the Center Street corridor functions as part of the Civil War Walking Tour for the Battle of Collierville. It was installed in 2011 with a grant from the TN Wars Commission.