Mayor Tommy Battle outlines downtown improvements
Mayor discusses improvements and changes coming to the downtown courthouse square area, plans for more events and foot traffic |
PHOTO CREDIT TO WILLIAM MARTIN,
HUNTSVILLENEWSWIRE.COM |
HUNTSVILLE, AL (April 2, 2009)—Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle today outlined the improvements and renovations coming to the downtown courthouse square area at a press conference held in the Mayor’s Media Briefing Room.
Mayor Battle was joined by Mary Jane Caylor, Executive Director of Big Spring Partners, Huntsville’s Director of Engineering Shane Davis, Toneka Dorsey-Lindsey of the Huntsville Engineering Department, Ted Matsos, Owner of Papous Restaurant, Rob Heard, President of the Downtown Forty-Seven, Greg Hathorn, Owner of Sam & Greg’s Pizzeria and Donna Castellano, with the Downtown Art’s Stroll, all spoke at the press conference in support of the improvements.
“These improvements are going to provide a stimulus to our downtown merchants, our citizens and residents who visit and shop downtown and will make for a safer environment for all of our community,” said Mayor Battle. “We’re improving parking, we’re improving sidewalks and we’ll increase awareness of what our downtown area can offer.”
The renovations will more than double the amount of free parking in the downtown square area and will include more than twice the amount of greenery that presently exists. The plans have been included in the City of Huntsville’s capital plan for more than a decade and will have no impact on the City’s general operating budget.
Mary Jane Caylor, Executive Director of Big Spring Partners, also spoke at the press conference and expressed excitement about the new opportunities coming to downtown as a result of these improvements by local small business owners.
“These individuals have good ideas and are working on plans to create fun and exciting activities for downtown Huntsville during this project and beyond,” said Caylor. “There are others with ideas of downtown enhancements that would become a part of the fabric of downtown long after this renovation is complete.
Mayor Battle closed the conference with a pledge of action.
“It’s time we stop talking about rejuvenating downtown and finally get to work in doing it,” concluded Mayor Battle.
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