City honors Matthews with road naming

Published 11:00 am Wednesday, December 14, 2016

A Brewton city street is being renamed in honor of a local civil rights leader.

The Brewton City Council Monday voted to rename Underwood Street from Belleville Avenue to Ala. Hwy. 41 to H.K. Matthews Drive.

The Rev. H.K. Matthews, a Brewton native, was arrested more than 30 during the civil rights movement. Among his many accomplishments was that he participated in the Selma to Montgomery marches led by Dr. Martin Luther King.

A dedication ceremony will be held on Wed., Dec. 21, at 2:30 p.m.

In other business, the council:

• approved a three-way stop at the intersection of Conoley and East Jackson Street;

• voted to accept the donation of the McMillan Property. City Attorney Ed Hines said the move was the formal acceptance of the “very generous donation” from Thomas E McMillan Jr. family. The property is located behind Alco Plaza near Popeye’s Chicken and the city hopes to develop in conjunction with E.O. Wilson Adventures Park;

• set a public hearing for Outdoor Adventures for Tues., Dec. 27 at 4:30 p.m. to allow for leasing of a portion of O’Bannon Park for canoe and kayak operations and equestrian access to trails; and,

• approved a new Transportation Alternative Program sidewalk project for the Alco area down Alco Drive and around Jefferson Davis Community College. The project will require a 20 percent, or $100,000, match from the city.