Scottsboro awarded $600,000 grant to fix downtown flooding issues

MGN

SCOTTSBORO, Al. (WDEF) —  The city of Scottsboro has been awarded a $600,000 grant from Governor Kay Ivey to help address downtown flooding problems.

The Community Development Block Grant Urgent Need funds will be used to reroute a damaged, partially collapsed drainage line that has caused flooding and water damage to First Baptist Church and other nearby structures, city officials said.

“These funds will help the city realign a stormwater drainage system so that any rain can safely be diverted away from buildings and property and flow naturally through the runoff system without causing any harm or damage.  I am pleased to award these funds to help alleviate this issue for Scottsboro residents.”

-Governor Kay Ivey

The current 85-year-old drainage line, installed during the Works Progress Administration era, runs beneath church playgrounds and activity centers without a public right-of-way.

The new drainage line will bypass private property by being installed along Laurel Street and Scott Street.

The old line will be sealed to prevent further issues, officials said.

In addition to the grant, the city of Scottsboro is contributing $187,430 in local funds to support the project.