News
In the News: Russellville council adding more safe rooms in city
Posted on January 27, 2016
Originally published in the Times Daily.
Since the deadly tornadoes swept through the region in April 2011, the City Council has been working toward providing shelters for residents.
“We have just completed two safe rooms, which brings the total to four we have in the city right now,” Russellville Mayor David Grissom said. He said each can hold 96 people.
On Tuesday night, the council agreed to build four more safe rooms.
Councilman David Palmer said the commission is working with the Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments on a grant to finance the safe rooms.
“I’m just glad we are in the position that we can get the grant and have the funds to do the project,” Palmer said.
Grissom said it’s a 75-25 matching grant.
He said the average cost of the safe rooms is around $57,000.
“Which means our cost is about $14,000 for each one,” Grissom said.
The mayor said the new safe rooms will be on Dillard Hollow Road, Hamilton Street at Chucky Mullins Center, Armory Drive and on School Drive near Russellville High School.
The four that have been completed are on U.S. 43 at Russellville Fire Station No. 2, Westside Apartments, Bishop Recreation Center and the former Reedtown School.
He said the new shelters will each have water and bath facilities.
“We hope to be able to construct one more, which would be at the John Blackwell Field at the Alabama 24 and Lawrence Street intersection,” Grissom said.
Palmer said each room gives people a safe shelter during severe weather.
“It gives them some comfort knowing they have a place nearby to go in severe weather,” Palmer said.
Grissom said the safe rooms are strategically placed in the city.
“We took a map and tried to locate them in the heaviest populated areas,” Grissom said.
“Once we have these four installed and if we can get that last one on Lawrence Street built, we’ll have good coverage throughout the city.”
He said the completed rooms are being used during bad weather situations.
“I’m glad we can provide the citizens with a safe haven during severe weather,” Grissom said.