The City of Andalusia on Tuesday officially acknowledged a donation of land situated in the vicinity of the upcoming Heritage Park.


It was donated to the Andalusia and Conecuh Railroad Company which is a subsidiary to PowerSouth Energy Cooperative.


The 2.25 acres are located in the area between S. Cotton and Tisdale streets, and is just across Tisdale from the site where Heritage Park is planned to be built. There is a Covington County Historical Society Museum is situated on the property and the lease will be kept as per the official.


“This is fantastic as it gives us more opportunities to do what we can with the park]” said the Mayor Earl Johnson.


The council voted unanimously to take the property that was donated.


In a separate city business that involves PowerSouth the council also voted to request a loan from PowerSouth’s business development program to construct a brand new construction in an industrial park. The last city-owned spec building was bought by the Covington Casket Company.


Based on the the City Clerk John Thompson, the funds offered by the program could cover about half of the cost of the construction project, estimated at around $2 million.


The structure will be constructed in a space of 60,000 square feet, with expansion options if necessary. The idea is to build the spec building close to the entrance to Industrial Park.


The PowerSouth loan program offers funds without interest for a period of four years. The city’s utility board will submit an application for the loan, with the city providing the financial backing.


“We have lots of land however, there are no structures. The building that was built last year was by using the same method. If we want to entertain prospective clients, we should have a place that they can visit,” Thompson said.


Other topics that were discussed by council members during the May 2nd, Tuesday meeting were:


  • Approving purchases of computer systems and other technological tools for Andalusia police department. The cost of the project is $67,000, and will be funded using CARES Act (COVID) funds.

  • approval of abatements for three properties situated in Tanglewood Drive (weed), Dillard Street (weed) and S. Three Notch (junk and litter).

  • Presenting a first reading an ordinance to declare surplus property in the Andalusia Industrial Park. The first reading of the ordinance is when the council may vote to approve the ordinance at the next council meeting.

  • by approving a donation of $1500 in aid to an organization called the Alabama High School Rodeo Association. The organization will stage the rodeo at the Covington Arena from June 1 to 4.

The article Property to be donated in the near the future Heritage Park donated to city appeared at The Andalusia Star-News.