DECATUR — When driving into Decatur from the south, motorists often ignore the Grand Savings Bank billboard and an old sign that, over time, was covered by two cedar trees. A change to this area is about to transform it into a welcome mat to visitors to the Decatur community.
In 2017, the old metal Peterson Farms sign which graced this site for many years was removed and the brush and debris around it were cleaned by the city's maintenance crew. The old sign was reassembled and rehung inside the depot storage shed where it will continue to greet visitors to the Decatur museum.
On March 9, city crews were back at the site removing the two cedar trees that stood on either side of the billboard. A new lighted flagpole was installed between the billboard and the Grand Savings Bank sign.
Within a week, a new sign will be erected on the old Peterson billboard that will welcome motorists to the city of Decatur.
Cemetery Drive
As the city was saying its last goodbyes to former mayor Charles Linam in May 2017 at the Decatur Cemetery, another funeral procession was pulling into Setser Street, causing congestion on the all-access driveway at the site. Mayor Tharp vowed to fix this problem by installing a new service road to eliminate any congestion that multiple services would create.
Work began March 9 on the new entrance to Decatur Cemetery. The new road is on the far east side of the cemetery and, when completed, will connect to the new 40-acre section on the northeast side of the cemetery. This will allow for more burial plots for future Decatur residents who wish to be interred in the 165-year-old cemetery.
Once the new road is complete and open to the public, Setser Street will become a one-way exit only.
General News on 03/14/2018