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Sherri Van Pelt of Glenwood Behavioral and Ashley Robinett of Alabama Power at the October luncheon. Photo by Rebecca Walden.
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Councilman George Pierce, Gina Henley, and Councilman John Henley at the October luncheon. Photo by Katie Turpen.
If you attended the October Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon, it was impossible to leave the event uninspired.
Mayor Alberto “Butch” Zaragoza served as keynote speaker and delivered his annual State of the City address to a packed house in the ballroom of Vestavia Hills Country Club.
From start to finish, Zaragoza’s remarks were loaded with informative details about the momentum of numerous projects taking place throughout the city.
He began with a frank assessment of city finances, including the fact that sales tax is down four percent. Zaragoza added that the city is well positioned to withstand this dip in revenue because of its fiscal conservatism.
“Taking that out, we are exactly where we need to be,” he said. “We watch our dollars and live within our means.”
From a project standpoint, a few of the highlights shared by Zaragoza include:
City Hall construction, which is approximately three weeks ahead of schedule; Zaragoza added that Chick-fil-A will allow city staff to remain in the former City Hall location until the new facility is move-in ready.
Additional Library in the Forest parking, expected to be complete by the end of November (this will bring the existing 88 spaces up to a new total of 134).
Southern Gateway entrance enhancement, which will receive a major overhaul this November in landscape design to ensure this entrance matches the beauty, character and landmark recognition of the city’s Northern Gateway.
McCallum Park, which is slated for a bridge installation and trail development in cooperation with the Freshwater Land Trust and area Eagle Scouts, respectively.
Highway 31 and Cahaba Heights redevelopment plans, including the new city requirement that any developers coming in must include sidewalks. (In addition, Zaragoza highlighted seven projects in consideration right now for the Cahaba Heights area specifically; more detail on these will be provided as the projects progress.)
Sicard Hollow development plans for a 42-acre parcel owned by the city; potential plans being evaluated include the creation of a dog park, a splash pad, an amphitheater and various walking trails.
Wald Park upgrades, which are in preliminary research stages; after the completion of a three-phase study of the area, ongoing now, the city will prioritize what needs to be done in the area.
Patchwork Farms progress, including the fact that Northport Holding, already building a 120-bed facility in Hoover, has agreed to change their concept into more of a village style for what they will build in this area of Vestavia Hills.
Zaragoza concluded his remarks with an introductory video called “A Life Above,” which features footage shot throughout the city and a voiceover describing what sets Vestavia Hills apart.
Produced by locally owned Tatum Design, the video was the city’s first formal “sneak peek” into the new branding campaign in development by Tatum Design. In the coming months, additional branding assets will be revealed.
To watch the video, visit alifeabove.org.
The chamber’s next monthly luncheon will take place on Wednesday (not the usual Tuesday due to Veterans Day), Nov. 12, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. with keynote speaker Captain Chris Tanner.
Holiday in the Hills
From Nov. 13 to Dec. 14, the chamber will have an ongoing scavenger hunt called Search for Jingle Bell. Participants can print a copy of the worksheet from vestaviahills.org. Participating businesses will have a stuffed reindeer named Jingle Bell hidden in their stores. When a customer finds Jingle Bell in each store, an employee will stamp their sheet. When a customer has 10 stamps, they can turn it in to the chamber office for a surprise and to be entered in a drawing for a $25 chamber gift check.
