Long dormant park project in Double Springs revived

DOUBLE SPRINGS - A project that has been dormant for years has been brought back to life with a breath of fresh air, as the Double Springs Town Council voted Monday, Jan. 12,  to officially begin constructing a community park dedicated to the town’s heritage and history.
The park, which will be situated on about a half-acre of vacant property between Main Street and Highway 195, was the site of a former auto dealership, as well as the temporary location of BankFirst, while their present bank building was being constructed nearby, town officials discussed.
The park will also be located near the area where natural dual springs that were visible many years ago resulted in the town’s name of Double Springs, town officials discussed.
The council voted unanimously to pay for a 150-foot wall to be constructed at the park so a mural of the town’s historical landmarks can be painted on it.
The town has already secured a $7,000 grant for the mural through the Northwest Alabama Resource Conservation and Development Council, stated Mayor Kim Miller.
RC&D Chairman Roger Hayes explained the organization was proud to provide start-up money for community development projects and commended the community park project being brought back to the forefront.
“It’s a morale booster, and it shows you are working and doing things and getting things people need,” Hayes added. 
“The mural will be something people will enjoy. Visitors like to see things like that,” Hayes continued.
Miller explained to council members that he received only one bid for the wall’s construction after he had made at least eight contacts about the wall.
Kimco from Curry submitted the wall construction bid at $27,000, which will fund a four-foot -wide footer and a 12-inch, steel-reinforced wall measuring 10 feet in height and 150 feet in length with curves at each end, Miller specified to the council.
“When will they get started?” council member Tim Cockrell asked.
“This week,” Miller responded.
“I think we need to jump on it,” Cockrell then said.
“If we’re going to take advantage of the grant I got for the mural, we’ve got to get a wall up and let it be drying because you can’t paint on wet concrete,” Miller explained.
“People are wanting to see some stuff done,” Cockrell said. “I think we need to do it.”
Cockrell then made a motion to begin the wall construction at $27,000, with Andy McSpadden seconding the motion. 
All council members voted in favor, including Cockrell, McSpadden, Brittney Tucker, and Kathy Cole. Adam Veal was absent from the meeting.