31-05-2025
State grants approved to begin Strain Road drainage repair
ATHENS, Ala. (WHNT) – Relief may be on the way for homeowners after complaining for years that infrastructure issues have been ignored by city officials.
People who live in the historically black neighborhood on Strain Road have been asking Athens officials to do something about the flooding and sewage that have ruined their homes.
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Marks informed the homeowners that, due to age and neglect, an upgrade will cost the city millions, but now that money is finally on the way.
In December 2024, the city of Athens partnered with Communities Unlimited to submit a pre-application to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) for grants totaling an estimated $16 million for the project.
On Thursday, ADEM agreed to the grants for the preliminary design work totaling $4,517,617.62 so that the repairs can finally begin.
In a statement to News 19, Marks said about the funding approval.
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'At its May 19 meeting, the Athens City Council authorized me to sign the ADEM agreements for the funding,' he said. 'We are eager to get this done and excited to finally have the funds available from ADEM.'
For homeowner Kirk Parker, the news regarding the grant approval may take time to sink in.
The flooding caused permanent damage to his home of 60 years as he watched the city build several new housing developments just blocks from Strain Road.
'Whatever the next step is going to be, we're going to have to take it, whatever it is, but we need something done about this situation,' said Parker.
The Limestone County NAACP backed the homeowners when they faced city council leaders on multiple occasions.
'We're feeling very certain that the new construction they're making it where the flooding and the storm waters are coming their way in full force and it's so unfortunate,' Steele said.
You can find more about the Strain Road Project on the City of Athens' website.
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