From The Tribune staff reports
LEEDS —In June of 2022, Leeds Main Street received a Main Street Alabama Designation. Leeds Main Street is a community-led organization focused on revitalizing Leeds’ downtown district.
During the summer of 2022, the newly formed Main Street organization searched for a location for its operations. The Leeds Water Works Board (LWWB) graciously offered a room in the rear of a building that LWWB owns, directly adjacent to the Leeds City Hall Annex, 1408 9th Street. Leeds Main Street understood that there was a shared lease agreement between the City of Leeds and the LWWB, which allowed access to a restroom and a small kitchen area.
“This was a great fit for the Leeds Main Street operations location for many reasons, but most notably for the proximity to City Leadership for the purposes of planning and collaboration,” Amber Vines, Executive Director of Leeds Main Street, stated. “The partnership between the City of Leeds and Leeds Main Street is vital to the success of the redevelopment of the downtown Leeds area.”
In late summer, Leeds Main Street began operations in the leased space: hosting meetings with local community groups, contracting and hiring a new Executive Director, organizing resources, and working toward the economic growth of the downtown district.
Vines explained when a flooding event occurred affecting the city-owned portion of the building, Leeds Main Street notified city leadership of this situation; incidentally, this brought about awareness of the leasing of the space. Soon after, a plywood barricade was erected between the Leeds Main Street space and the rest of the Leeds City Hall Annex, thus prohibiting access to the kitchen and restroom facilities located in the building. The plywood barricade quickly evolved into a permanent cinder block walling of the former doorway.
According to Vines, during the opening remarks of the October 3, 2022, city council meeting, Mayor Miller offered Leeds Main Street an office space at the Historic Train Depot. At the October 17, 2022, meeting, the City Council voted to make a formal offer of this space to Leeds Main Street.
“This was a very generous offer, and the Main Street Board of Directors exercised thoughtfulness and diligence in considering this offer,” Vines stated.
On November 1, 2022, at its regular board meeting, the Leeds Main Street Board of Directors voted unanimously to continue to lease the space at 1408 9th Street provided by the Leeds Water Works Board.
The most notable reasons are as follows:
- The term of the Leeds Main Street current lease with the LWWB is five years, while the City[1]offered lease term was set for one year. The Main Street Board values this continuity as we build a brand and presence downtown.
- The lease presented gave the City of Leeds the latitude to revoke the lease agreement without cause and has a requirement to measure success in order to keep the space. During the most recent board meeting, the Leeds Main Street Board of Directors expressed concerns that the success of the organization is determined by many variables, ultimately resulting in a decrease of dilapidated/vacant buildings and an increase of economic value and community engagement. This measure of success could potentially be viewed as abstract when compared to any measuring stick determined by the City of Leeds administration.
- The Leeds Historical Society was unaware of the offer of the space to Leeds Main Street and currently utilizes The Depot building as its most profitable fund-raising activity. Leeds Main Street values its relationship with the Leeds Historical Society and wants to continue to be a good partner.
- The LWWB has been a constant and continuous supporter of Leeds Main Street. The Main Street board is grateful for its continued partnership.
- The Leeds Main Street Board sincerely hopes that Leeds Main Street and the City of Leeds continue to work together to make meaningful change to revitalize the downtown district.
“The Leeds Main Street Board maintains full faith that the LWWB and the City of Leeds can work through the issues concerning restroom access and shared space agreements,” Vines stated. “Until that time, through genuine community goodwill, The Wooden Anchor has allowed Leeds Main Street staff to have restroom access in an adjacent building, which meets our current needs.”
As Leeds Main Street grows and continues to meet with local business owners and new prospects, we will work with the appropriate parties to ensure that restroom needs are met, including holding meetings at off-site locations as needed to ensure the comfort of all concerned.
Since its designation in June of this year, there are three net new businesses in the downtown district, two new jobs created, $139,478 of private dollars invested in downtown, and over 1,135 volunteer hours accumulated. Leeds Main Street is committed to the Leeds community and focused on making meaningful change.
“We are a strong community,” Vines stated. “If we work together, we can accomplish anything. We love Leeds and know you do too. We look forward to building a better future for the downtown district together.”