Downtown Streetscape/Montevallo Main Street: What's Really Going on in Downtown Montevallo?
- By Lee Waites
- Dec 7, 2016
- 6 min read
Above is an artist's rendering of approximately what we can expect when the Montevallo Streetscape Project is complete. Update:(Based on increased public interest an additional meeting has been added for Wednesday, December 14, 5pm, City Hall)
Streetscape Project
"I'm confused," you say. "Where are all the new storefronts in this picture? Where are all the Main Street Alabama improvements we've been hearing about?"
I'll admit to asking exactly the same questions myself (whether you have or not). Until recently I had been hearing of this renovation project called Montevallo Main Street Project. Granted, there is so much going on in Montevallo, if you blink, you might miss something. That's definitely a credit to our city leaders. But it can also lead to some confusion. The Streetscape Project and Montevallo Main Street, although both currently in the works and both representing major overhauls to downtown Montevallo, are actually not related to each other, except through their mutual spacial relationship to Main Street, and through the many combined benefits they will bring.
The Streetscape Project is the renovation of sidewalks, streets, street lights, landscaping and such. Montevallo Main Street is a newly formed organization to promote the Main Street District. According to Mayor Hollie Cost the Streetscape Project began under the leadership of former Mayor Sharon Anderson, in or around 2008 and was initially referred to as "Montevallo's Main Street Renovation Project." It was conceived as a solution in part to meet government mandated handicap accessibility requirements, as well as to revitalize the downtown area. Thus the Main Street Renovation Project was born.
Recently, though, to avoid confusion after Montevallo sought and received Main Street Alabama designation, the city began referring to the Main Street Renovation Project simply as the Streetscape Project. This clearly separates it from the new Montevallo Main Street organization and all it entails.
The Streetscape Project, slated to begin in January, 2017 is definitely a need to know for all Montevallo residents, and really, anyone who even passes through Montevallo. There is a public meeting at City Hall on Thursday, December 15th, 5pm with Chilton Contractors, the construction company that won the bid to complete the project. City officials will also be there to answer any questions citizens might have about timing, impact on traffic, etc. According to Montevallo City Clerk, Herman Lehman, Chilton Contractors' plan is to close one side of one block at a time to limit disruption of normal downtown activities as much as possible. Roads will be torn out, sidewalks demolished, pipes and wires and all sorts of infrastructure will be removed and upgraded. The construction crews are mandated to provide all necessary temporary structures to assist consumers in reaching local businesses, walkways, etc. So the hope is business can proceed with minimal disruption. It could be considered a good time for local residents to support the local economy, visit a local merchant and mark the progress of this milestone in Montevallo history. In other words, go keep track of the hubbub and buy stuff. It's good for everyone.
You can take pictures. Make it fun! This is really exciting for Montevallo. Share your experiences and pictures in "Sharing Montevallo!" (<- shameless plug)
The Streetscape Project will provide "historically appropriate" renovations along Main Street from Bloch Street to the bridge at West Street and along Middle Street from Main Street to Valley Street. It includes new landscaping, new ADA compliant sidewalks, new lighting, larger sidewalks, new parking spaces, and lots of unseen improvements to power and water service lines. Federal highway funding has been provided through ALDOT as well as a 20% match from The City of Montevallo. The street renovations will total approximately 3.5 million dollars worth of direct improvements. Peripheral property values, safety and quality of life should improve as well, once the project is complete.
To help businesses thrive during the inevitable disruptions of construction, Montevallo Main Street is offering 10 grants of up to $500 each to local businesses impacted by construction. These grants are to help with issues such as temporary valet parking, delivery drivers, rear entry renovations, etc. See (http://al-montevallo.civicplus.com/378/Streetscape-Grant for details. They are also offering other services which are listed on the city website.)
Current plans call for the initial phase of work to begin on the east side of Main Street in early January, 2017. An exact start date will be discussed at the public meeting, on the 15th. (Downtown Streetscape Pre-construction Meeting, Thursday, December 15, 2016, 5 pm, Montevallo City Hall.) (Based on increased public interest an additional meeting has been added for Wednesday, December 14, 5pm, City Hall)
Anyone interested in having a better understanding of the construction process should attend this meeting. Although steps have been taken to minimize the impact of construction, Main Street will see a substantial amount of upheaval in the months to come. Encourage others to attend this meeting as well. Knowing what is to come could lessen the stress involved.
Montevallo Main Street Inc.
MONTEVALLO MAIN STREET, INC. is an Alabama 501(c)(6) not-for-profit corporation created to: " ...stimulate downtown revitalization in the City of Montevallo, Alabama through organization (encouraging cooperation and building leadership in the business community); economic vitality (strengthening downtown’s existing economic assets while diversifying its economic base); promotion (creating a positive image for downtown by promoting the downtown as an exciting place to live, shop, and invest); design (improving the appearance of the downtown); and to receive, administer and distribute funds in connection with any activities related to the above purposes..." as stated in their bylaws.
Initially, an organization known as The Montevallo Project was created to pursue Main Street Alabama designation, which the city was awarded in June 2016. The Montevallo Project, having successfully achieved this goal, then morphed into Montevallo Main Street.
In November the Board of Directors was elected, and in early 2017 a membership drive will begin. The bylaws, board membership information and a list of board members can be viewed or downloaded here: (MMS bylaws and board info) You may also want to check out the Montevallo Main Street Facebook page: (MMS on Facebook)
Though working with entities and other interested parties involved in the promotion of Montevallo, Montevallo Main Street (MMS) will focus its efforts specifically on the Main Street District. So unlike the Montevallo Chamber of Commerce, which likewise will be involved, MMS will not direct its promotion or planning to businesses or needs outside of downtown proper, unless and only if those interests also benefit Main Street.
"I don't see the role of The Chamber changing all that much," says Steve Gilbert, Executive Director of The Montevallo Chamber of Commerce. "I look at it like they're a specialist and we're more like a general practitioner. We'll offer the same services we've always offered to the businesses in the community as a whole. Sure there may be some overlap, but our mission will stay the same." This specific focus on Main Street came about as part of the result of Main Street Alabama designation. Main Street Alabama is "focused on bringing jobs, dollars and people back to Alabama’s historic communities. Economic development is at the heart of this statewide organization’s efforts to revitalize downtowns and neighborhoods..." "It's like the city has its own consulting firm, but at a fraction of the expense," says Mayor Hollie Cost. The city pays modest yearly membership dues to Main Street Alabama and receives guidance with organization, promotion, design and economic restructuring. This is what Main Street Alabama refers to as their 4 point approach. Main Street Alabama works with the numerous interests within the community to achieve targeted goals specific to the needs and reasonable potential of each city. One major function of Montevallo Main Street will be to coordinate with Main Street Alabama to manage and implement these plans. You may learn more about Main Street Alabama here (MSA Website)
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