Mayor gives State of the City address at chamber luncheon
Mayor Butch Zaragoza returned to Vestavia Hills in the middle of a beach vacation to share the annual State of the City address at the Sept. 9 chamber luncheon. Prior to his speech, the Chamber of Commerce Foundation presented an $11,000 check to the city to help install new signs noting business districts.
The mayor said this year was one of the strongest he had seen in his two terms, from residential development to new businesses. In total, Zaragoza said residents could expect over $9 million of new city revenue over the next five years.
"We're very excited about what's happening here in Vestavia Hills," Zaragoza said.
He thanked several city employees for their part in attracting new businesses to the city, including city manager Jeff Downes.
"This is the best thing to happen to us in two years," Zaragoza said of Downes. "Jeff is an individual that has vision beyond any vision we've ever seen."
The projects Zaragoza listed as contributing to the city's financial stability include:
- The new city hall, which will have its grand opening on Oct. 13. Zaragoza said that this new construction prompted other commercial properties to become interested in moving to the city.
- Chick-fil-A, which will take over the current city hall location on Highway 31. The mayor said the restaurant will begin demolition and construction sometime after the end of October, and the new building will be designed after Chick-fil-A's most recent model.
- Sprouts and Chipotle are already under construction, and the property owners are currently working to bring other retailers to unfilled space at 1099 Montgomery Highway.
- Work is ongoing at Patchwork Farms to include resort-style senior living, a nursing facility and roughly 120,000 square feet of space for grocery, shopping and dining tenants. Zaragoza said the senior living facility will get its building permit in October, and Daniel Corporation, the site developers, are also working on infrastructure for a 270-unit high-end apartment complex. Construction on the building could begin within a month.
- Zaragoza said projects are in the works in Cahaba Heights, but none are finalized enough to give public details.
- The process to make a park at the former Altadena Valley Country Club is under way, with the next step to happen at the end of September.
- 700 acres in Liberty Park are up for residential and commercial development over the next two to three years.
- The first city entertainment district is moving forward in Rocky Ridge to make the city more exciting. Zaragoza said two other locations are also being considered for these districts.
- Paving projects are coming soon to Rocky Ridge Road between U.S. 280 and Hoover, Sicard Hollow Road, Columbiana Road, Tyler Road and Overton Road in Liberty Park. Zaragoza said the Rocky Ridge project is bid out already and Columbiana and Tyler will soon follow. The paving projects are joint work between Vestavia Hills, Hoover, Birmingham and Jefferson County.
- New signs are expected to begin installation sometime in September.
"This just shows you what can be done just by doing your work," Zaragoza said.
He also noted city changes, including a new website and a financial transparency portal. He said the city's most recent financial report showed that it is stable, and he wants residents to see where their money is being spent.
"We wanted to give you a chance ... to look at Vestavia Hills financially," the mayor said.
The most important part of this progress, Zaragoza said, is partnerships with the Chamber of Commerce, the city school system and other groups in Vestavia.
"It's amazing what can happen if we work together," Zaragoza said. "And that's what's happening."