Downtown Dyersburg awarded grant to revive Court Square

Dyer County

The grant will provide $722,918 toward the $2 million needed to complete renovations to the Court Square.

Engineers from Askew, Hargraves and Harcourt completed the plans to address the sidewalks, streetscape, lighting, benches and wiring in the downtown area. The project was divided into two phases, each one with a separate grant.

Dyer County Mayor Richard Hill received notification early last week that the county's grant had been approved by the Department of Transportation. The phase of the project funded by the county grant includes the inside portion of the sidewalks and streetscape of the Courthouse Square.

"The county applied for a grant to redo the Court Square and the city applied for a grant for an overlaying amount of the same project," said Downtown Development Director Steve Guttery, who said both grants were to be coordinated by Main Street Dyersburg. "We will now begin work on the county portion and reapply for the city portion in hopes that funding will come through at about the same time the county portion nears completion."

Guttery said that the project is a joint effort of the city and county governments and Main Street Dyersburg. All three organizations will move forward together to begin the project now that funds are available.

"Instead of doing the work at the same time, we (hope to) stack the projects," said Guttery.

One aspect of the project will place electric wires underground, eliminating wires hanging overhead for stoplights, phone service and electricity. Historic streetlamps have been chosen to compliment the new look, as well as benches, planters, trashcans, pavers and sidewalk improvements.

"I think it's a great thing for downtown Dyersburg," said Joe Yates of Main Street Dyersburg. "Between the river walk, the Farmer's Market, this grant and business owners sprucing up their property, I think (downtown) is moving in a great and positive direction."