The City of Andalusia’s River Falls Street improvement project is ahead of schedule, lead engineer Tim Ramsden reported to both the Andalusia City Council and the Rotary Club yesterday.
Ramsden said the contractor, Wire-grass Cons-truction, has used 130 of the 210 working days (64 percent) allowed for the project, and expenditures are at $2.36 million of the $3 million bid (74 percent).
“That shows that we are ahead of schedule,” Ramsden, who works with CDG Engineering, said, adding that good weather is needed for the project.
Basically, the underground utility work is done, he said, adding that CenturyLink and Southeast Alabama Gas District have worked with the city to relocate lines to make the project possible.
When it is completed, the street will be curbed, have 3 feet of grass and 5 feet of sidewalk on the right-of-way. All power poles have been removed from the street, and decorative lighting will be added.
As well, entrances to the Covington Mall will be slightly altered and landscaping will be added.
The Andalusia Goody’s store will reopen April 7.
Specialty Retailers Inc., a Texas-based retailer and subsidiary of Stage Stores, acq-uired the Goody’s trademark when the company declared bankruptcy in 2009.
Bob Aronson, vice president of investor relations for Stages Stores, said Tuesday the store is expected to employ seven people.
“Our bottom line is that we bring big brands to small towns,” Aronson said. “We try to understand the area we’re going into and tailor the merchandise in our store based on what the community is looking for.
“There is a Peebles (in Opp),” Aronson said, speaking of one of four names under which the Texas retailer operates. “So, shoppers – they can expect merchandise similar to what’s found there such as the brands and labels, as well as the format of the store.”
Aronson said the seven employees will consist of one store manager, three full time and three part time employees.
“Since we have the (Peebles) store in the area, we might try to move some employees around,” he said. “If not, we will run help wanted ads soliciting resumes in the near future.”
Aronson said the new store hours will be Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. and on Sunday from noon until 6 p.m.
The Andalusia City Council last night rezoned property on U.S. 29 South from residential to business.
Director of Planning Andy Wiggins said the property, referred to as the Wallace property, is next to Southside Baptist Church and in front of the Chamber of Commerce. It is surrounded by similarly zoned property, he said.
The council, which moved its meeting from its regular Tuesday night schedule so that members could attend the chamber banquet, also:
• agreed to pay half of the cost of relocating a gas line in the construction of the industrial access road.
• announced two openings on the Andalusia Public Library Board.
Corporate officials are making plans to reopen the Goody’s store in its previous Westgate Plaza location, according to the Web site of its parent company.
Specialty Retailers Inc., a Texas-based retailer and subsidiary of Stage Stores, acquired the Goody’s trademark when the company declared bankruptcy in 2009.
“We recognized by Goody’s going out of business that it left a void in a lot of markets,” said Bob Aronson, Stage Stores vice president of investor relations, in a previous interview with another media outlet. “There are a number of desirable markets that would be good for our stores. Goody’s has strong name recognition in those areas. By acquiring the rights to the name, it gives us the flexibility to use it if we choose to.”
Many Goody’s shoppers might be familiar with Stage Stores if they’ve shopped in the Opp location of Peebles, one of four names under which the Texas retailer operates.
The Web site lists the opening date as “coming soon.”
John Tisdale, who owns Westgate Plaza, declined to comment on the company’s return. Phone calls to the corporate office also went unreturned on Friday.
Tisdale did confirm that a new steak house will open in the former location of Mendoza’s in coming weeks. The restaurant also is in Westgate Plaza.
The City of Andalusia’s Ambassadors will be among the 92 entries in Monday’s parade saluting the inauguration of Dr. Robert Bentley as Alabama’s 53rd governor.
The local group, comprised of 12 Andalusia High School students selected in an interview process, will be the 58th feature in the parade that will be led by the University of Alabama’s Million Dollar Band.
Jerri Stroud, who directs the ambassadors for the city, said the school system was contacted about the band’s participation. When there was a conflict with that, Superintendent Ted Watson suggested the ambassadors, as they represent both the school and the city.
“This is a great opportunity for these kids,” Mrs. Stroud said.
Monday’s weather will be slightly cool and there is a 40 percent chance of rain. But Mrs. Stroud said the group will march up Dexter Avenue in dress uniform.
“I told them to wear thermals underneath,” she said.
The group will leave Andalusia about 6 a.m., and will stay for afternoon events in Montgomery Biscuits Stadium if the weather holds.
Ambassadors include Dilan Manring, Michael Kelly, Stephen Caton, Millard McWhorter, Jay Brewer, Sam Fairley, Catherine Grace Searcey, Kathryn Williams, Anna Bay McCord, Haley Moody, Devin Williamson and Morgan Palmer.