City Council Member George Pierce Place 4
George Pierce, Place 4
What is the biggest issue before the council right now?
Right now our top priority is finding a city manager. We’ve had interviews that were open to the public, and we’re right now in the due diligence stage with four great candidates. Five people sat in and listened to the interviews, and afterward they were impressed with the four candidates.
The new city manager (expected to be named by June 1, if not prior) will be stepping into a challenging role, but will also be joining a professional staff with a common vision for the city.
I’m thrilled that we’ll have an economic development director, a city planner and a city manager on board – these are three professionals working in the city that we never had before. That should make a difference.
The goal is every day to work and foster our city, to recruit businesses, and to make good use of the development areas we have – and that’s not just U.S. 31. Look at Cahaba Heights. It’s an area I’m very glad we annexed, and we need to look at the opportunities for development over there. We also have opportunities with Columbiana, Rocky Ridge and elsewhere. There are a lot of opportunities; we just have to prioritize because we can’t do it all at one time.
With regard to economic development, where are we seeing the most movement? What’s likely to happen in the near future?
Since we now have professionally trained employees in the city all focused exclusively on their areas of expertise, we are establishing those priorities.
Look at Fred Baughman. With the contacts he has, he knows whom to call, he knows the programs, and he knows the opportunities. Likewise, our city planner is looking at our city and envisioning what we should be doing in that area.
We are focused now on completing the city leadership team with the right individual who can work with Baughman and Conrad Garrison to accomplish what Vestavia Hills residents deserve and expect, with regard to the city’s business landscape and amenities.
On another note, we’re working on the future of City Hall. Everyone knows Chick-Fil-A is anticipating a move into the existing City Hall, and we still have property we are selling at the site of the old library. In addition, we’ve got businesses looking at land along U.S. 31 for future economic development. It’s funny, 31 has always been there, but it’s like all of a sudden people are realizing it’s there. When Verizon moved to the lower portion of U.S. 31, people realized that even though that area lies in a flood plain, it’s buildable. You have a tremendous area all the way down through there.
I believe that by the end of our council term, we will look back and see more results. I’m most anxious to see new construction along U.S. 31, and I think we’ll see that soon. In the course of one day, daily traffic along 31 is between 35,000 and 75,000 cars. If you are in the retail business, you want to be there.
How can the City better unify itself?
Everyone is proud of their communities. Being elongated like we are, there is no true center of the city anywhere. People are naturally proud of their area. The Chamber, for example, has attempted to move around I Love America Day, and they cannot draw the people. It’s natural in communities. We can’t fight that; we just have to work with the communities.
The Christmas Parade is another example. In its old location, people complained that we were blocking U.S. 31. If it was on a Saturday morning, people said it was too early. If it was Saturday afternoon, people said we were congesting traffic. Liberty Park, where it’s currently located, is a great place for the parade. They put a lot of planning into it, and it’s a great example of cooperation between a newer community and City Hall.
We are all Vestavia residents, and we want to work with everyone. I’m glad we’re not council members by district. Sure, the way the City was designed, it does cause some unique situations, but we find a way to make it work.
How can residents connect with you and make their voice heard?
If you have thoughts and ideas, bring it on. We’re open. Attend City Council meetings, but if that’s not for you, take another opportunity to let me hear from you, whether it’s Facebook, emails, telephone calls, voice messages, whatever means you prefer.
On the note of accessibility and a unified presence, I will share that we are considering having Council meetings outside City Hall Chambers. I want to have meetings in Cahaba Heights, in Liberty Park and elsewhere. If you’ll come to us, we’ll come to you.
There is a lot of talk about economic development, but what are the parameters for growing it the right way?
We are getting into some new territory. As we pursue development of commercial businesses on U.S. 31, we might need to look at our overlays, business districts and planning to see what the public wants in certain areas.
The Brazilian Wax place is a viable business. Some will be offended by it, but obviously the owners have done the research and there is a demand for it.
We’ve also heard some comments about the Gold business near Diplomat Deli. We understand the residents’ point of view about moral issues, and we are looking to see what we can do to make sure signage and related elements are tastefully done. But, we must be cognizant that we want to foster business. Will individuals always agree with the businesses? No.
We have restrictions in certain areas – like Patchwork Farms – as to what kind of businesses can go in there. And we are discussing whether or not we need to reexamine some of our sign ordinances.
The bottom line is this: we want to continue providing the services our citizens deserve and require, and we also want to be good stewards of the business community.
