The award-winning Cullman High School threatre department was honored by the Cullman City Council Monday for winning the state’s prestigious Trumbauer festival along with individual awards.

A new traffic light is going up on U.S. 31 in front of the old Dodge dealership in preparation for new restaurants while an emergency traffic beacon is set to be installed on Alabama 157 for Cullman’s third fire station. 

On Monday, the Cullman City Council approved separate agreements with the Alabama Department of Transportation for the two projects. Additionally, the city agreed to pay $33,895.00 for the installation of the traffic signal on U.S. 31 by low-bidder Inline Electric Supply Company, Inc.

Ming Enterprises of Athens purchased the old Dodge dealership last month as well as the old Fred’s building across the street. The development will cover two phases named Cullman Row East (Chrysler building) and Cullman Row West (Fred’s), said Bill Ming, owner of Ming Enterprises.

Cullman Row East will be host to Firehouse Subs, Diablo’s Southwest Grill, and Marco’s Pizza, Ming said.

The emergency traffic beacon will go up in front of the new fire station which is set to open behind Merchants Bank and beside the old Piggly Wiggly grocery store. An apartment complex is in the works near the fire station.

ALDOT has identified one possible driveway for the residential development on Alabama 157 near where the four lanes join into two as it drops down a hill, city officials said.

In unrelated business, the city council honored its police, firefighters and local drama students.

Longtime Cullman Police Chief Kenny Culpepper was honored for his four decades of service to the City of Cullman while Cullman Fire Rescue’s Wade Miller was presented the Firefighter of the Year and Brandon Dawson EMT of the Year.

A number of other Cullman firefighters were also recognized, including the crew that rescued two residents trapped in a home on Dripping Springs Road in March 2017 after a tree fell on the house during severe weather and another that risked their lives to try to pull a mother and daughter from a house fire in July 2017 on County Road 706.

The city council also honored the Cullman High School theatre department for winning the state’s prestigious Trumbauer festival along with individual awards.

In other business, the Cullman City Council:

Approved Jan. 22 meeting minutes.

Held public hearing and approved vacation and surplus of a 50-foot right-of-way at 1816 Teakwood Drive SE which received an unfavorable recommendation by the City of Cullman Planning Commission. Councilman Johnny Cook said the adjacent landowner that initially opposed the request because he would lose access to his driveway withdrew his opposition when it was discovered that the driveway wasn’t usable.

Held public hearing and approved amending the zoning ordinance relating to loft apartments in Cullman, allowing business on the first level and residential on the second and third level of properties in the central business district.

Approved request from Melissa Aaron of East Elementary PTO for a special event permit to hold a 5K run and 1 mile fun run in the neighborhoods surrounding East Elementary School from 7-11 a.m., March 17 to raise money for playground equipment at East Elementary School.

Approved request from Louise Cole of Cullman County Bosom Buddies Foundation for a special event permit to hold a Colors of Cancer 5k run or walk from 7-11 a.m. April 7 at Sportsman Lake Park and the Cullman County Fairgrounds.

Approved request from Louise Cole of Cullman County Bosom Buddies Foundation for a special event permit to hold a charity motorcycle ride with registration starting 7:30 a.m. April 7 at Cullman Regional.

Approved request from BreeAna Goodwin of Avenue D Southeast for a special event permit to hold a wedding at the Festhalle and a reception on First Avenue Northeast in the Warehouse District starting 4 p.m., Oct. 27.

Approved request from Cali Tidwell of Desperation Church for a special event permit to hold the annual fireworks festival in Heritage Park on July 4.

Approved request from Trent Dean of Cullman Cross Country Track Program for a special event permit to hold the Bearcat March Mile starting at the Festhalle from 7-11 a.m., March 10.

Held first reading and approved annexing property located at 1405 County Road 1466 at the request of the property owner, Neil Rainwater, into the city limits as B-2 Business District which received a favorable recommendation by the City of Cullman Planning Commission.

Awarded bid for building improvements at Fire Station No. 1 to the lowest responsible bidder, Murphree’s Unlimited Installation, Inc., in the budgeted amount of $16,912.65.