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BY ROBERT SORRELL
STAR CORRESPONDENT
The Elizabethton City Council approved a short list of items, including a mural project in downtown and improvements at the firing range, during its monthly meeting on Thursday.
Council members approved a resolution to ratify the mayor’s signature on an Arts Build Communities grant contract through the Tennessee Arts Commission.
In 2021, the Elizabethton Water Resources Department purchased and demolished the former Floyd Storie Roofing building near the city’s storage building on Hattie Avenue. Demolition left the eastern side of the building exposed and in need of cleanup, according to the city.
As the city began to plan for building improvements, they were awarded $4,500 through the Tennessee Arts Commission grant to develop the community mural project. Funding will be used to hire an artist to lead a group of 18-24 community members. The project would use six former window spaces to focus on different periods of time, according to the city’s resolution.
This is the second mural project underway downtown. The city is also working with the Main Street organization to develop a mural on the back of an Elk Avenue building. A Miami, Florida-based artist has been selected to create a flora and fauna mural on the building, which will be seen from Sycamore Street.
Council also approved a contract with Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) for Elizabethton Electric equipment. The annual contract with a cost of $24,210 is available in the city’s budget.
In addition, the council approved an Elizabethton Police Department resolution to continue leasing the communications site on Holston Mountain. The city has maintained a site on the mountain since 1995.
With communication sites on Holston Mountain difficult to obtain, Police Chief Jason Shaw recommended to council to keep the lease on the site with no additional budget impact. The site insurance, annual generator maintenance, propane and electricity is already in the city’s budget, according to the city.
In old business, the council approved an ordinance on second reading for an improvement project at the Elizabethton Police Department’s firing range.
Council previously approved a resolution for the department to enter into an agreement with the Army Reserve Engineering Unit to plan and design improvements at the facility on Sugar Hollow Road. The resolution allows the city to fund the cost of materials while the Engineering Battalion would perform the work, according to the city.
The firing range project is estimated to cost a total of $500,000. The materials are estimated to cost $76,000.