Phase 3 of sidewalk project begins

The third phase of the sidewalk project started last week on Cherokee Avenue. Margaret Perry with the Sallisaw Main Street Program said the city of Sallisaw has been working closely with the organization on the installation of brick pavers on the south side of Cherokee Ave. between Oak and Elm streets. She said decorative street lighting fixtures will also be installed as part of an improvement project. Your TIMES reported in August 2022 that city commissioners approved the purchase of 12 decorative street light assemblies to be installed, with the cost of the poles and lighting fixtures at $82,000. The city also agreed to cut and remove the existing sidewalk on the south side to accommodate the brick pavers, and Sallisaw Main Street is paying for the pavers and contractor to complete the concrete work. Perry said the total cost for the labor and concrete was $30,600. “It was costly and we are planning other fundraisers, but we look forward to seeing the final phase,” Perry said. The city will purchase and then install four or five decorative lights along the south side with the necessary electrical conduit. The remaining decorative light fixtures will be stored for future improvements on the north side of Cherokee Ave.The city’s Street and Alley Fund will pay up to $41,000 for the purchase, with the remaining balance paid from the capital improvement fund contingency. “We appreciate the city for partnering with us on this project and thank the community for their support so that we’re able to do projects like this to beautify our downtown.”