City of Scottsboro receives help with drainage problem

Clarion Top News

Wednesday, 07 May 2025 11:57

Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded a $600,000 grant to help the City of Scottsboro alleviate a flooding problem while addressing a potential safety hazard.
The Community Development Block Grant Urgent Need award will be used to reroute a damaged and partially collapsed drainage line that has caused flooding and water backup in a section of downtown. The flooding has resulted in damage to Scottsboro First Baptist Church and other structures in the area, city officials said.

“These funds will help the city realign a storm water drainage system so that any rain can safely be diverted away from buildings and property and flow naturally through the runoff system without causing any harm or damage,” Gov. Ivey said. “I am pleased to award these funds to help alleviate this issue for Scottsboro residents.”

The current 85-year-old drainage line was installed during the Works Progress Administration enacted by then President Franklin D. Roosevelt during a period when there was no established public road right-of-way. The line runs under a church playground and activity center.

The new line will be constructed along the south side of Laurel Street and the east side of Scott Street, bypassing church property and private property. The older sewer line will be plugged to ensure there is no runoff through it, according to city officials.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the award from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“Community Development Block Grants under the urgent need fund are intended for occasions like this one in Scottsboro where there is a threat to a community’s well-being,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA is pleased to join Gov. Ivey in this project to alleviate this issue.”

Gov. Ivey notified Mayor Jim McCamy that the funding had been approved. The City of Scottsboro is contributing $187,430 in local funds for the project.

ADECA manages a range of programs that support law enforcement, economic development, recreation, energy conservation and water resource management.