Monroeville Main Street receives AARP grant
By Michael Tonder
Journal Staff Writer
The Monroe Journal - August 5, 2021
Monroeville Main Street(MMS) was recently awarded an AARP grant in the amount of $21,900.
The award was part of the AARP Community Challenge and were given based on projects that achieve one or more of the following:
Create vibrant public places that improve open spaces, parks and access to other community amenities; ensure a focus on diversity and inclusion while improving the built and social environment of a community; deliver a range of transportation and mobility options that increase connectivity, walkability, bikeability, wayfinding, access to transportation options and roadway improvements; support local recovery from the coronavirus pandemic with an emphasis on economic development, improvements to public spaces and transportation services; encourage the development of a range of housing options to increase the availability of accessible and affordable choices; increase civic engagement and demonstrate the tangible value of “Smart Cities” with innovative and tangible projects that bring residents and local leaders together to address challenges and facilitate a greater sense of inclusion; implement other community improvements that respond to local needs
Only 244 grants were awarded out of 3,560 applications. The grant will be used for six wheelchair accessible picnic/game tables located at Effie Mae Tucker Park, the Monroe County Museum, City Hall, the Senior Center, the Splash Pad, and Whitey. Lee Park. Five additional trashcans for downtown and three additional benches for downtown are also part of the grant.
Anne Marie Bryan, MMS Executive Director said “Monroeville Main Street is thrilled to be a recipient of a 2021 AARP Community Challenge Grant Our application was summitted with the support of the City of Monroeville and will serve our community on multiple levels while complimenting Mayor Andrews’ Anti-Litter Champaign.”
Chess and checker pieces for each table will be available for checkout at the Monroe County Public Library, the Monroe County Museum, city hall, the Senior Center, the splash pad /YMCA and eventually, Whitey Lee Park
“Once everything arrives and is installed, we will have an inaugural chess game with the mayor at a 2nd Saturday on the Square event,” Bryan said. .
“Congratulations to Monroeville Main Street for being awarded the AARP Community Challenge Grant,” Monroeville Mayor Charles Andrews said. “Monroeville is a beautiful city and this grant will be used to further enhance the beauty with items to stimulate the mind such as picnic/game tables where chess or checkers can be played. Other items to enhance downtown will include benches for tourist to enjoy our city. Few applications are awarded out of thousands received and this award is a great accomplishment by Monroeville Main Street. This grant award compliments the Monroeville the Beautiful campaign to beautify our city. Thank you Monroeville Main Street.”