HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Downtown’s newest development wouldn’t be possible without the city’s input. "It can be very difficult working with city agencies," Dan Shields, Managing Member with Ascend Property Group shares. "We work with the mayor and people in the mayor's office, and they've been helpful. They provide us with a lot of good ideas, a lot of input. They were very interested as they were very interested in learning and what we wanted to do. We were very receptive to the city's needs.
But with the new developments and expansion downtown, one thing to consider, traffic and Councilman Bill Kling shares the city has a plan. "I did have some questions I'd asked from the planning director concerning what the traffic was going to be, "Kling shares. "To me, I think traffic flow is one of the most important things."
Concerns about traffic can come with any added development, but the city of Huntsville looked ahead when it comes to the latest project. "They'd been planning for it and one of the things that they have done has been working to make sure that the Clinton Avenue interchange access that comes off the parkway is well suited to handle that influx of traffic because conventions, a lot of things that bring people into the city of Huntsville are going to be going directly into downtown," Kling explains.
These changes are to help improve traffic flow. "We're looking at things that are going to be quality of life," Kling shares. "Can people get from point a to point b in their car as quickly as possible? Is there going to be a long, convoluted delay? if so, then that's not a good thing."
These new projects also enhance the growing downtown scene. "I think this is one of the facets that's been done to help improve downtown," Kling adds. "Additionally, during weekend nights, there are lots of fun events that are taking place downtown, especially when we start getting into warmer weather. Concerts in the Park, of course, will be coming back on. Fridays you have the food trucks and different events that take place."
Kling adds the investments don’t stop there. "Additionally, a lot of money has been used to improve the sidewalks for the residential areas of downtown so that people can jog, or they can push a baby carriage over the sidewalks of old squares that have been kind of puckered up by tree roots. you know, these are small but good things that are taking place," Kling explains. "I think they do have a good plan with the amount of traffic that they're projecting to come into the downtown area and I'm confident it's going to work. Again, this is going to be a good development. but again, everyone's preparing for it because it's very important that we get it right the very first time."