Cahaba Heights developments discussed at town hall meeting
The City of Vestavia Hills held a town hall meeting at Cahaba Heights United Methodist Church on Dec. 2. Discussion focused on development options for the commercial district surrounding Pump House Road, Cahaba Heights Road and Dolly Ridge Road.
City Manager Jeff Downes began the meeting with a video that focused on the sense of community in Vestavia Hills.
"This is a great sign right now that this room is full. It's a sign that you care," Downes said.
Cheryl Morgan, formerly with Auburn Urban Studio architecture program, facilitated the meeting by asking meeting participants a series of questions about the study area.
Morgan asked attendants four questions including:
- What are your favorite things about Cahaba Heights?
- What brings you to the study area?
- What are some things that could use improvement?
- What are some new additions that you would like to see added?
Residents pointed out local merchants, a sense of community, diversity and more as things they liked about the community. They also expressed concerns with road safety, flooding issues and city infrastructure as features that could be improved.
Several residents also expressed a need for sidewalks and bike lanes as well as a small scale library in the area.
Large renderings of the area were displayed throughout the room. At the end of the meeting, city officials met with residents one-on-one to discuss concerns or ideas in further detail.
Residents were given red stickers to place on areas to suggest improvement and yellow stickers for areas that they believe do not need additional work.
Downes said that the city will consider residents' suggestions when planning the project. The city will hold a public meeting on Monday, Dec. 8 to discuss a work-in-progress plan for the area.
The meeting will begin at 4 p.m. at city hall. A city council meeting will follow at 5 p.m.
For more information, visit vhal.org.