AARP grants funds for Market Street

By all accounts, the Market Street Arts and Entertainment District in downtown Mount Airy is already a cool place, and an injection of new funding from a national group will make it even more accessible to the public.

AARP announced Thursday that it has awarded a 2024 Community Challenge Grant to the city of Mount Airy as part of a nationwide program to help localities become more livable.

City officials will use the $16,200 to enhance the Market Street Arts and Entertainment District, which was created by the Mount Airy Board of Commissioners in August 2020.

It is a pedestrian-friendly venue where visitors can occupy tables along the street on weekends during the warmer months and enjoy products from two craft breweries on Market Street along with live music, food trucks, art displays and more.

The grant program involved is offered through AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports efforts of municipalities, neighborhoods and rural areas to become great places to live for people of all ages.

City Manager Darren Lewis says the AARP grant is geared toward the older age group on which the organization formally known as the American Association of Retired Persons focuses much of its efforts.

“The Market Street Arts and Entertainment District project will improve the amenities on Market Street and encourage more participation for our aging population,” Lewis explained.

“The addition of tables, benches, bike racks and more will encourage walkability and accessibility,” the city manager added. “The city of Mount Airy is proud to be part of the AARP Livable Communities network and is committed to providing services to people of all ages and abilities.”

In conforming to what is described as the “quick-action nature” of the program, grant projects must be completed by Dec. 15 of this year.

Such amenity-improvement efforts on Market Street reflect an overall vision of transforming an urban-like area into a vibrant space for residents and visitors, fostering walkability and enhancing livability in “Mayberry’s” historic downtown, officials say.

The city manager pointed out Thursday that Mount Airy is the first recipient to garner the Community Challenge Grant twice.

“We received one a few years ago for benches, bike racks and trees along the Granite City Greenway.”

Mount Airy is among the largest group of grantees to date with $3.8 million awarded to 343 organizations nationwide for 2024.

Since 2017, AARP has invested $479,000 through 40 grants to non-profit organizations and government entities across North Carolina.

With funding support from Toyota Motor North America, the AARP grant program is increasing its investment in pedestrian safety projects that will improve streets and sidewalks, create vibrant pedestrian infrastructure, engage community members and much more, officials say.

“AARP North Carolina is committed to working with local leaders, advocates and policymakers to make our communities better places to live for people of all ages, especially those 50 and older,” Mark Hensley, AARP associate state director for the Triad Region, said in a statement.

“We are proud to collaborate with this year’s grantees as they make immediate improvements to address long-standing and emerging challenges across our communities.”