County reviews cost–benefit of buying Old Hawthorne Bank and potential ADA sidewalk grants

Lindseay Chaffen of Great River Engineering told the Henry County Commission on June 25 that her firm had prepared a cost–benefit analysis for the county to consider purchasing the Old Hawthorne Bank and that grant funding could be available to address Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance and sidewalk connections.

The presentation, given during the commission’s regular meeting in Clinton, emphasized the financial and accessibility implications of acquiring the property and of pursuing pedestrian improvements downtown. Commissioners discussed locating physical plans for the bank and agreed to have staff scan and digitalize the documents so the presenter can continue design and funding work.

Why it matters: acquiring the property could open grant opportunities to extend sidewalks and improve ADA access in the county seat, which commissioners said would support downtown activity and pedestrian safety.

County staff said one copy of the bank plans had been given to a commissioner; staff agreed to locate any additional copies, have them digitized by county personnel, and provide them to the presenter so grant applications and design work can proceed.

Next steps: the commission asked staff to find and scan the bank plans, then follow up with Great River Engineering. No purchase decision or funding commitment was recorded at the meeting.