The Board of Public Works and Safety on July 23 approved an easement agreement for property at 1326 North Main Street to allow connection of the downtown interceptor and accepted a deed and easement exchange with the Franciscan Group to advance a lift-station project.

Alex, the city’s legal counsel, said the 1326 North Main easement was needed because of tight space around a car lot at that location and legal drafted an easement between the city and the property owner identified in the transcript as “Fifth Avenue is Mobile.” The board approved the easement by voice vote.

Alex also described a second transaction with the Franciscan Group: as drafted, the city will give back a previously donated parcel (just under an acre) and Franciscan will donate a different property and grant easements for additional water lines at no cost to the city. "So it's a good deal for the city. Franciscan's basically giving us an acre and some easements so Al can proceed with this project," Alex said. The board approved the deed acceptance and easement acceptance and signed the single city deed required.

Why it matters: the easements and deed exchange clear property and access issues that allow utility construction to proceed, including downtown interceptor connections and an upcoming lift-station site. Several items discussed were tied directly to ongoing public-works construction timelines.

Ending: staff said they will finalize easement recordings and proceed with right-of-way work tied to the downtown interceptor and lift-station projects.