By Tanna Friday
For the Tribune
TRUSSVILLE — Today Mayor Buddy Choat showed off the downtown redevelopment plan to local business leaders during the monthly Chamber of Commerce luncheon revealing the city’s plan to enhance and energize the Trussville’s economic development. Mayor Choat explained that the new plan will invigorate the historic downtown to be attractive, safe and family-friendly.
The downtown revitalization plans, being developed by the Trussville Downtown Redevelopment Authority, city officials and outside consultants, have a goal of several catalyst projects that would rehabilitate many historic buildings and enliven Main Street. It’s a comprehensive project hard to visualize now despite several outward improvements but is the start of a process that could bring changes both large and small.
The intersection of Main Street and Chalkville Road, also considered as the heart of Trussville, will be a gateway project providing the streets with sidewalks, an intersection with a wider turn radius, and decorative street lights.
To include this gateway to downtown, the project area will involve razing the corner portion of the former Braden Furniture buildings for a public plaza. The rendering suggests pedestrian corridors, way-finding and branding, and primary streetscapes – with sidewalks, trees, and a unique city fountain.
“The city had bought the Braden property several years ago to widen the road,” says Choat. “The Council and I have decided that we have a better plan that we shared with the Chamber that will connect the road and wrap around that corner. We are going to take that corner building down.”
Last Tuesday, the Council approved a plan for Brik Realty to purchase and renovate the former Braden’s building which is second from the corner on Main Street. The Mayor says that if the building passes all the inspections, the building will remain, but undergo extensive renovations.
Kevin Sargent, vice president of operations at Brik Realty said he was looking forward to being a part of the city’s redevelopment plan through a new partnership, Trussvegas LLC., with Brik president Gusty Gulas.
“Gusty and I are very excited about the opportunity to have a part in transforming the image of downtown Trussville,” Sargent said. “Brik’s success in the eastern Birmingham market and more specifically Trussville market has led us to search out a new space for our continued growth.”
The Mayor adds that the corner Braden building will be torn down to take part in the road’s widening, a pedestrian plaza, and other enhancements.
“We are working with Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) on the corner of the intersection,” Choat said. “We are going to take down the existing poles, the turn radius will be a lot larger, add new traffic signals with mast arms and decorative lighting.”
Additionally, rehabilitating historic buildings in Trussville’s immediate downtown area is considered a priority.
Local businesses who have made renovation efforts on Main Street include the Trussville Tribune, Gunter Oil, Hitchcock Maddox Financial Partners, and Keller Williams. New renovations underway include the Slag Heap Brewery, which will open its doors this December, and the building at 410 Main Street.
Another Main Street property unveiled in the Trussville’s downtown revitalization plan is the construction of Edgar’s Bakery. Architectural drawings of the bakery were prepared by architect David Reese of Turner Batson Architects.
Edgar’s, the popular Birmingham-based bakery, purchased the former Stix and Stuff furniture property, located across the street from Moe’s Original Bar B Que, from the city mid–Sept. for $500,000. The twenty-three-page development agreement between Edgar’s Trussville, LLC, and the city includes construction to begin by Nov. 30 of this year with a final completion date of Dec. 31, 2018.
The Edgar’s building will include approximately 2,400 square feet of additional retail space which will be leased to a yet to be named business.
“They will have a plan to submit to the council and placed on their sign probably next month,” says Choat. “We’re excited. It was a long time in the works and I think it’s great for the City of Trussville, and downtown, to help us in our renovation of downtown.”
Choat said when the idea of revitalization came, interest flowed from multiple sources.
“The enthusiasm came when we, as Mayor and Council, took office. We all campaigned on the new downtown Trussville,” says Choat, who is nearing the end of his first year as mayor.
“The enthusiasm is not only from the people of Trussville, but people outside of Trussville, who are now seeing what can happen here,” Choat said. “They want to come to a safe environment that has a wonderful neighborhood, great community support, and events that are family-friendly. Our whole downtown area should grow from this experience and we are excited about that.”
The city is currently working with the utility companies and local entities to ensure the project is clean and professional looking. As far as the timeline for completion, Choat said that within 12 to 18 months residents should begin to see the transformation.
“This time next October, you will be able to tell what this will look like,” Choat said, referring to the city’s many phases. “We have streets, sidewalks, lights, and businesses to move in here. It’s going to happen within the next 18 months or so.”
The Chamber luncheon, held at the Trussville Civic Center, was sponsored by Trussville Gas and Water.
49 Comments
Mike Jay
Looks like Trussville will be the next Hoover
Mike Jay
Looks like Trussville will be the next Hoover
Ian Maddox
Trussville will soon be the best little village in all of central Alabama!
Ian Maddox
Trussville will soon be the best little village in all of central Alabama!
Allyson Lovelady
David Lovelady
Allyson Lovelady
David Lovelady
Toni Graves Whitten
Very informative.
Toni Graves Whitten
Very informative.
Henryand Susan Morris
Love it! Best little town with a big ambition for improvement!
Henryand Susan Morris
Love it! Best little town with a big ambition for improvement!
Sharon Seibers Keane
Are these drawings what the buildings will actually look like? There have been so many different renderings of the “new downtown” over the years of what things will look like that it has been hard to believe we are finally going to get the updates done. I am so excited that I might actually live to see this project done!
Sharon Seibers Keane
Are these drawings what the buildings will actually look like? There have been so many different renderings of the “new downtown” over the years of what things will look like that it has been hard to believe we are finally going to get the updates done. I am so excited that I might actually live to see this project done!
Sunni Yarborough Glidewell
So excited!
Sunni Yarborough Glidewell
So excited!
Kay Hicks
Another 280 for traffic
Kay Hicks
Another 280 for traffic
The Trussville Tribune
In the past, you’ve often seen several artist renderings of what downtown “could” look like depending on a potential developer’s interest. All of the drawings in today’s stories have been approved by the specific developers of these projects. While design often evolves during the building process and changes are sometimes made out of necessity, these renderings are probably pretty close to the final product.
The Trussville Tribune
In the past, you’ve often seen several artist renderings of what downtown “could” look like depending on a potential developer’s interest. All of the drawings in today’s stories have been approved by the specific developers of these projects. While design often evolves during the building process and changes are sometimes made out of necessity, these renderings are probably pretty close to the final product.
Jennifer Chinnis Lawley
That looks nothing like Hoover.
Jennifer Chinnis Lawley
Griffin Gulledge
Looks incredible!
Ian Maddox
Jennifer Chinnis Lawley glad you said it first. Hoover has nothing like this aside from maybe the corner that is; The Preserve.
Mike Jay
Stay tune ladies…its coming Trussville will be the Hoover of the Eastside..
Jennifer Chinnis Lawley
Pretty sure Ian Maddox is not a lady, and I’d love to hear your reasoning behind this, that is if you actually have an argument.
Sharon Seibers Keane
Cool!! I cannot wait to be able to enjoy downtown!
Rose Herring Cobb
Mike, there’s plenty of room for you outside of Hoover and Trussville city limits. Don’t let the door hit ya on your way out.
Mike Jay
Rose Herring Cobb child please bless your heart…Westside is coming to the Eastside…stay tune
Mike Jay
Carry on girl..
Barbie MrsToro
Jessica Toro Hardisson
Fran Bramblette
Love it!
Fran Bramblette
My only concern is traffic control and traffic flow to ensure safety of pedestrians. Right now Highway 11 is a parking lot certain times a day. Then other times get out of the way it a raceway.
Mary Exa Crew
Yep.
Tracy Feltman Meloni
Brad Mason
Leigh Ann Mullins
Steven Mullins
Michael Stanley
They never think about that until it’s too late. All they see is $$$
David Solomon
Alecia Solomon
Tracy Bibb Slone
Hoping to see these changes come to fruition in my lifetime!
Scott-Brenda Richards
There will be three ways to enter highway 11, all three with traffic lights. Chalkville Rd will not be alone anymore.
Christopher Oliver
Morgan Oliver Lee
Joan Creighton
Once again…please let’s get those awful Serta Mattress signs off the Braden Building now! They look awful.
Jami Colley Evans
Michael Evans
LaTrelle Grayson
Tax revenue is good for the city’s budget until you have to address the additional traffic. I don’t see that being addressed.
Jzyk S. Ennis
I’m glad to see this moving forward; however, I have deep concerns over traffic. Highway 11/ Main Street cannot hold anymore traffic, especially in train delays and peak times. When the train blocks S Chalkville Road, there is a mosh pit in the turn lane between downtown and Waterson Parkway. Add in trying to get in/out of businesses across traffic and it is a nightmare. It takes hours to relieve traffic. Now we add an entertainment venue in the same area (which I support). The only solution is another bridge over the railroad. Is that planned? Extra roads on the north side of the railroad won’t help this problem without more “smart” traffic lights to sense traffic.
Ian Maddox
Ground breaking in the next six months, massive change within 24 months.
Tracy Bibb Slone
That is exciting news!!!
Susan Griffin
Johnny R Kelly
280 want have nothing on Hwy 11 for long. The Roads need attention before a Damn Brewery.
Ginny T Kerns
Due to the gridlock on Hwy11, when will it be widened to at least a turn lane from Mohawk to Camp Coleman?
Jimmy Berning
Just wish they would finish something they start.