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The Andalusia City Council on Tuesday authorized site work to improve the bypass entrance to Covington Mall, where the owners plan to build a franchise restaurant.

Under the terms of the agreement with Michael Jackson and Shaun Jackson, owners of Covington Mall, LLC, the city will construct a brick retaining wall, fill behind the retaining wall, relocate utilities, and install landscaping and lighting at the bypass entrance to the mall.

City Clerk John Thompson explained that Amendment 725 to the Constitution of Alabama allows municipalities to assist with private projects that promote local economic development.

Michael Jackson said details of the new restaurant will be announced in the near future. He expects to have 40 employees in the restaurant.

Though Jackson did not go into details about the restaurant the city council agenda presented to members of the media and the resolution passed by the city council is for a Firehouse Subs.

In other business, the council:

• Approved a lease/purchase agreement for an International HV trash truck, two International HV trash trucks with knuckleboom loaders, and a Kenworth T800 Dump Truck for the public works department.

• Extended the Andalusia Ballet Association’s lease on the Church Street School building. The Ballet currently is renovating the third floor of the facility.

• Approved an agreement with Emerald Coast Utilities Authority for processing the City of Andalusia’s recycling materials.