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The Andalusia City Council on Tuesday agreed unanimously to bring down buildings to make room for the future Heritage Park.

Three buildings on the east side of S. Cotton Street in the downtown area will be demolished and removed. That area would likely be the main entry into the proposed park currently in the early planning phase.

Mayor Earl Johnson said the specific buildings being removed do not have historical or architectural significance.

The council approved Edwin McIntyre Company to perform the work at a cost of $32,700, which is below the price that would have required the city to bid the project.

The council also discussed two separate items to assist local businesses.

The city moved forward with authorizing financing for Covington Casket Company, which recently moved into a new, upgraded facility that is being leased from the city.

Previously, a line of credit of $1.2 million was established with CCB Bank for the construction of the new operation. The project is now completed and the lease has been executed. The remaining balance from the line of credit is over $765,000. The city will make payments on that amount over five years at 4.25 percent, with payments mirroring the amount Covington Casket will pay the city toward the lease, according to City Administrator John Thompson.

The council also approved a 2 percent sales tax rebate for Tabby D’s restaurant. The business is under new ownership and is currently undergoing improvements. The city will provide a 2 percent tax rebate over three years. The rebate was approved unanimously.

Other items discussed by the council included:

• Approving a “strength plan” for the Andalusia Animal Shelter, which was not included in the plan approved last month covering the police department. Johnson said the plans are designed to make the city’s pay rates more competitive. The animal shelter plan will cost about $9,600 per year for three employees, according to Johnson.
• Approving a resolution to deem a Lindsey Bridge Road property a nuisance.
• Approving the re-appointment of Willie Locke to the Housing Authority Board.
• Appointing Mayor Johnson to serve as the council’s voting delegate at an upcoming League of Municipalities meeting in May. Joe Nix will serve as the alternate voting delegate.

The next meeting of the Andalusia City Council is scheduled for Tuesday, March 15, 6 p.m., with a work session beginning at 5:30 p.m., at city hall.