CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Charleston Urban Renewal Authority is granting $600,000 to the City of Charleston so improvements can be made to the Brawley Walkway between Capitol and Summers Street.
Board members approved the funding during a Wednesday meeting.
“It’s certainly an appropriate use of funds,” said CURA Director Jim Edwards. “It will dramatically improve the appearance of that part of our downtown.”
Edwards said it’s going to provide a much more comfortable public space for people to walk from the historic district up to the Town Center Mall.
“We see it stimulating additional development in buildings alongside the walkway including cafes, entertainment and such,” Edwards said.
The walkway will be repaved, new lighting will be installed, new landscaping along with other enhancements, he said.
The project, expected to begin in about two months, is a part of the redesign and construction of Slack Plaza. More than 16 acres will be redeveloped, including the Brawley Walkway, the plaza and the crosswalks all from Capitol to Court Street. The first phase of construction would be from Court to Laidley Street.
The board is also discussing possible funding for new front windows for the 2nd Avenue Community Center on the city’s West Side. Edwards said it will help make the building much more approachable. Funding is already in place for work on the front entrance as well as mechanical equipment needed to fix the heating and cooling system.
Edwards said he will be reaching out to different organizations in the community to help with the project.
“We decided it was a priority to improve that facility so that it can continue to provide services to the neighborhood,” he said.