The Indianola Board of Aldermen on Monday approved a motion to apply for a Mississippi Department of Transportation grant that could further improve the look of the intersection of U.S. 49 and 82.
would be some sort of decorative concrete that looks like bricks or stones,” Cassada said.
Mayor Steve Rosenthal said he was assured by Transportation Commissioner Willie Simmons (Central District) that the grant would be approved if the city applied. He also spoke to the Sunflower County Board of Supervisors and mentioned that they were considering matching the remaining cost of the project after the grant funding is applied.
Supervisors Board President Riley Rice was present in the audience of Monday night’s board meeting.
“We were waiting to see what the project was going to look like and everything,'' Rice said from the audience. “We are willing to help the city in any way we can, but we just wanted to see what it looks like or if the board approved it and everything but we are willing to help any way we can.”
Rosenthal refers to this area as the gateway to Indianola and believes the intersection’s upkeep is important to Indianola’s economic success.
“The Board of Supervisors understood being the county seat that it is important that people come especially when Love’s came,” Rosenthal said. “That was the first thing the owner asked. ‘What are your plans for the intersection?’ Because they were getting ready to invest $4 million right there, and then I convinced him to do so.”
For his proposal, Rosenthal asked Cassada to provide a rough estimate of how much the project would cost, which was $360,000. According to Rosenthal, the city would pay a remaining cost of $30,000 if the Board of Supervisors agrees to split the remaining cost of $60,000 with them.
Rosenthal’s proposal was met with opposition from Alderman Marvin Elder as he questioned the timing of the proposal.
“I figured it was the last hour,” said Elder. “I understand you talking about the county. I understand about your $360,000. I feel that it is late in the game. This needs to be tabled.”
Elder also gave more reason for wanting to table the matter.
“That’s why I said we need to table it, because some of the board members were under the impression that some people from our city feel the intersection area would not be kept up after their administration,” said Elder. “That’s why I said it is best for this board to just table it.”
Despite the opposition, Alderman Gary Fratesi motioned to apply for the grant, and it was carried with one nay from Elder.
