City of Mobile seeks federal funding to connect citizens to jobs

Apr 19th, 2016

MOBILE, Ala. - The City of Mobile is seeking a national grant to rebuild aging infrastructure, connect citizens to jobs and revitalize historic neighborhoods.

Mayor Stimpson is asking the Mobile City Council for approval to apply for the U.S. Department of Transportation 2016 Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant. If awarded the grant, the City of Mobile would receive $14.4 million in federal funding to reconstruct the Broad-Beauregard corridor and connect it to the Three Mile Creek Greenway. The city would be required to provide a $3.3 million local match.

The project would provide efficient connectivity between residents, the transportation system and major economic employment centers at Brookley Aeroplex and downtown Mobile. It would also reconnect neighborhoods currently divided by Broad Street's unbroken 5‐lane expanse of concrete by creating bike and pedestrian lanes and landscaped medians.

"This initiative provides safe, pedestrian and bicycle-friendly access, beautifies the streetscape and stimulates economic activity throughout Mobile," said Mayor Stimpson. "This project will connect citizens from the transportation hub on Water Street to homes in neighborhoods to jobs at Brookley Aeroplex to recreation on the Three Mile Creek Greenway."

A resolution authorizing the mayor to apply, accept and receive funding for the TIGER grant is included on Tuesday's agenda before the Mobile City Council.