Council okays ARP projects; hospital road closes Friday

In a meeting that lasted less than 15 minutes, the Demopolis City Council Thursday approved two drainage projects to be paid for with American Rescue Plan funds.

The first will be installing a covered culvert on the last block of North Cedar Street at a cost of $170,000. The second will be dredging and installing rip rap on a ditch that runs from behind CVS to Demopolis High School. It is estimated to cost $370,000.

Whitfield Regional Hospital CEO/Administrator Doug Brewer announced the private road running behind the hospital from Walnut to Cedar streets will be closed beginning Friday. WRH is renovated the Emergency Department, and the road will be used by contractors and during construction.

Ambulances will use the Cedar Street entrance until the temporary ED is opened at the Outpatient Entrance at the front of the hospital. Brewer said the shift is expected to go into effect in the next few weeks.

Councilman Bill Meador reminded eligible voters who live in Demopolis to vote Tuesday, March 22, on the two school tax renewals, one a county and one a city tax. All voting will take place in the Demopolis Civic Center. The taxes first were passed in 1955 and have been renewed regularly.