Local religious leaders who pushed for improvements to Palmetto's infrastructure are finally getting their wish.

Thanks to the Community Development Block Grant Program, nearly $800,000 is coming to help building sidewalks and resurface roads along the stretch of Ninth Avenue Drive East that runs from 21st Street E to 12th Avenue E and on both sides of Canal Road.

Pastor Lawrence Livingston helped lead the charge to get new sidewalks and road resurfacing in the neighborhood near his church. Livingston said the improvements will make the area safer for families.

"It increases family outings," he said. "Gathering from point A to point B, they don’t need to get in their cars. When the lights are on at night and families are out, its less inductive to bring crime."

Livingston also wants to transform part of Washington Park into a lush park and preserve with a lake for recreational use.

The first part of this project involves putting in sidewalks at Ninth Avenue Drive E. That will take place in spring 2015, then will be followed by road resurfacing.