2025 3 18 Packet 2

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RESOLUTION NO. 2025-06 
Page 1 of 1 
A RESO
LUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF ATHENS, TENNESSEE  TO 
APPLY FOR THE 2025 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT 
(CDBG) FOR TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS ON N. 
JACKSON ST., N. WHITE ST. AND IMPROVEMENTS TO KNIGHT PARK 
WHEREAS, Tennessee Wesleyan University, a four -year university consisting of 1,100 
full-time students, is located in downtown Athens on a 40- acre campus and several city streets 
traverse through the campus resulting in traffic and pedestrian safety issues; and 
WHEREAS, many TWU students need to get from one side of campus to the other and 
must walk across N. White Street (3 lanes one- way) to Knight Park, a 0.75 acre city- owned park 
that needs revitalization, then walk across N. Jackson Street (2 lanes one -way) to reach the main 
campus all without pedestrian signals or crosswalks on a daily basis making this situation a 
dangerous traffic and pedestrian problem that needs improvements; and  
WHEREAS, the City of Athens and its certified Main Street Program have recognized and 
studied this traffic problem and included it in a publicly vetted and City Council approved 
downtown master plan that was approved during December 2020; and   
WHEREAS, the City of Athens is eligible to apply to the Tennessee Department of 
Economic and Community Development for a Community Development Block Grant to assist 
with these types of traffic and pedestrian safety projects; and 
WHEREAS, since McMinn County and City of Athens are members of the Tennessee 
Department of Economic and Community Development’s Three -Star Economic & Community 
Development Program, the City of Athens is eligible to apply for up to $1,000,000 in CDBG funds 
and is eligible for a Three Star discount towards the required local match; and 
WHEREAS, the City of Athens will be responsible for and has the ability to fund the 12% 
matching funds required by the grant and all additional project costs that exceed grant funding if 
awarded. 
NOW, BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED  that the Athens City Council does hereby 
authorizes the Mayor and City Manager to submit an application for up to $1,000,000 in CDBG 
funds for a community revitalization project, namely a traffic and pedestrian safety improvements 
project including Knight Park revitalization; and 
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor is authorized to enter into any agreements 
necessary for the successful award of the grant, subject to its approval by the State. 
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED , if said application is approved, the Mayor is hereby 
authorized to accept on behalf of the City of Athens said Community Development Block Grant, 
execute any and all documents, enter into agreements necessary for the successful application and 
award of the grant, and enter into a project administration agreement with the Southeast Tennessee 
Development District, subject to TNECD approval. 
ON MOTION BY _______________________________________________________, 
SECO
NDED BY ________________________________________________________, 
sai
d Resolution was approved by roll call vote on the 18th day of March 2025.  
 A TTEST: Larry Eaton, Mayor 
Randall Dowling, City Manager 
APPROVED AS TO FORM: 
Christopher M. Caldwell, City Attorney 
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