By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA – The residential community of Old Cahaba, which consists of more than 1,100 homes in Helena, will soon be getting new lighting upgrades throughout the entire neighborhood.

The Helena City Council approved the upgraded lighting project at the latest city council meeting on Monday, Oct. 22, which will upgrade the lights to LED at no additional cost to the city.

Andy Healy, who serves on the Old Cahaba Homeowners Association, said all 141 lights in the neighborhood will be upgraded after successful negotiations with Alabama Power.

“Back in the February or March timeframe I met with Alabama Power to try to get the lighting enhancement in the community of Old Cahaba to change it from the current system to the new LEDs,” Healy said. “Through these negotiations, we’ve come to where this will be a complete change out with all the lights in Old Cahaba at no price change to the city.”

The motion passed by the Helena City Council would place any associated or incidental costs on to the Old Cahaba Homeowners Association.

Healy said the change out of the lights should begin within the next eight to 12 weeks.