JACKSONVILLE, AL (WBRC) – The city of Jacksonville is getting hundreds of thousands of dollars to make the public square safer for you to walk around.

Jacksonville Police Chief Marcus Wood said by improving the plaza, you not only make it safer for pedestrians, but you also improve response times for first responders.

Last week, Gov. Kay Ivey’s office announced that Jacksonville would receive $800,000 from the Transportation Alternative Program grant.

This TAP grant will fund safety improvements around the downtown square, including lighting, sidewalks and expansion.

Chief Wood says pedestrians need to be able to move from one end of the square to the other safely.

“We want to make sure that 21,000 people and pedestrians who use this area every day do so safely, so that it is a safer environment for pedestrians and motorists who approach the square, and so that we can have a downtown or square area it’s much safer for everyone to use that area,” Chief Wood said.

The TAP grant was for $800,000, with the city investing $200,000. There is no timetable yet for when this project will begin.

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