Opp’s citizens should soon see improvements to downtown’s appearance, after the city council Monday approved the bid of a contractor to improve sidewalks along East Covington Avenue.

The low bidder was Hayes Construction of Jay, Fla., which bid $378,400 to complete the project. The project is funded through a previously approved U.S. Department of Transportation grant, and requires a 20 percent match from the city.

Paul Darnell, president and senior engineer of DMD Engineers Inc., said the city’s efforts to improve downtown are coming at a perfect time.

“We have some contractors who are very hungry for work right now,” he said.

Hayes’ bid was more than $100,000 less than the second-lowest bid.

Parnell said work will not begin until the bid is approved by the Alabama Department of Transportation. He estimated that approval will probably take between 45 to 60 days, and the project will begin shortly after. He added that the actual construction should take about 90 days to complete.

In other business, the council:

Approved an ordinance prohibiting solicitation, peddling and door-to-door canvassing within the city limits of Opp, prior to 8 a.m. or after 7 p.m.

Approved an ordinance prohibiting trailer truck traffic on all streets and highways within the Opp By-pass, with limited exceptions.

Abated property owned by Hinton Elmore and located at 308 E. Hart Ave.