FAIRHOPE, Alabama—The Fairhope Single Tax Corp. has donated more than $100,000 to build a sidewalk on Volanta Avenue, stretching from North Section Street to the entrance to the sports fields and dog park near Greeno Road.

“As a nonprofit organization, one of our responsibilities is lessening the burden of government,” Leslie Stejskal, FTSC secretary, said of the group’s $114,000 gift to the city to fund the sidewalk project. “This means FSTC is recognized as an organization for the bringing about of civic betterments, such as helping to improve our roads, sidewalks, and other brick-and-mortar projects.”

The new sidewalk is important for walkers and cyclists to travel throughout the city, said Ken Eslava of the public works department.

“This is something the city is continually working toward: providing better connections for walkers and bike riders between major thoroughfares and between our schools, parks, and neighborhoods,” Eslava said. “We’re very pleased to work with Single Tax on this project. It’s an outstanding effort on their part.”

Eslava is overseeing the project along with Joe Bullock, engineer with the Preble-Rish firm.

Funds for FSTC community projects such as the new sidewalk are part of the rents and fees paid to the corporation by lessees of corporation-owned property, according to a city news release. FSTC owns about 4,400 acres in Fairhope, including the downtown area, adjacent historic neighborhoods, and land east of the city limits, the release stated.

“We see this as continuing the examples set by our founders to do good for all of the community,” Stejskal said.