More improvements to downtown Lula’s appearance could take place later this year.

Lula City Council voted Monday night to approve accepting a $306,000 transportation enhancement grant from the Georgia Department of Transportation.

The grant requires Lula to chip in nearly $60,000, or a 20 percent match, to the project. The city already has spent $18,000 in engineering costs, so it would have to contribute another $42,000.

The northeast Hall County city is looking to add new sidewalks, parking spaces, drains and landscaping along Main Street between Athens and Charlotte streets.

The section of roadway is lined on one side by businesses and on the other by railroad tracks, which run through the city. Lula City Hall sits at the corner of Charlotte Street and Main.

Mayor Milton Turner said he would like to see the project finished before winter.

“That way, it gives everything a chance to settle and get established,” he said. “And with some of these projects, if you don’t get it done before winter, it will be springtime before (the project starts).”

The project is part of a long-range “streetscape” plan, which calls for new sidewalks, landscaping and other touches throughout downtown and beyond.

Past improvements have included new sidewalks on Main west of Athens Street, as well as construction of Veterans Park at the corner of Main and Athens. The park features a decorative water fountain and bricks laid in honor of veterans.

Through the transportation enhancement program, the state funneled federal money to local governments to dress up key roadways. The federal money faded out after Congress passed a transportation spending bill in 2012.

Lula has taken advantage of the money before, but “this will be the last of the (program funding in the city),” Turner said. “With everything else, we’ll look at other funding sources.”