Entertainment district takes shape
A new entertainment district is coming to downtown Trussville that will transform Morrow Avenue with a stage, turf lawn, pavilion and several restaurants and shops.
Inspired by The Hub on 30A in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, Mayor Buddy Choat said the city’s goal is to create a space that will be “family-friendly, walkable, safe and something that includes both retail and restaurants.”
“It is something the citizens have wanted for a long time,” said Choat, who unveiled artist renderings from commercial architect TurnerBatson in October. “I think it’s going to create more of that community feel that we want with a downtown walking area. It’s more of a Trussville feel for what we really are.”
The city will pay for infrastructure, extra parking, a stage and Pinchgut Pavilion, which may be used for showing movies, hosting farmers markets, Downtown Merchants Association block parties and other event possibilities.
“It’s for all of the patrons that come down there to eat and shop. It will be an opportunity for everybody to have access to it,” Choat said of the pavilion and lawn space.
Rezoning for the area began in March, and the city approved a $2 million incentive plan in May for local developers Colby Lake and Chris Donaldson, who previously owned Avondale Brewing Company and its surrounding businesses, to bring in restaurants and shops to the downtown areas. Restaurants on Morrow Avenue already include Melt and Common House, which will have outdoor patio and deck seating with a view of the stage.
Also lining the entertainment district will be Slag Heap Brewing Company, located in the former Trussville Ice House at 227 Main St. The brewery, owned by Joe Meadows, intended to open its doors by the end of 2017, as of the Cahaba Sun press date.
“It changes our downtown forever, we know that, but we know we’re going to have guests coming in from other parts of the area, which we welcome,” Choat said. “The economic impact, and what it’s going to do for the whole area and other businesses to be attractive, we think is going to be a tremendous opportunity for the city.”
Slag Heap and Pinchgut both pay tribute to historic Trussville. Slag Heap honors the original name of the Cahaba Homestead Village, and the pavilion is named for Pinchgut Creek, which flows through downtown into the Cahaba River.
In addition to the Morrow Avenue location, there are hopes to redevelop the corner of North Chalkville Road and Main Street where the Braden’s Furniture building is. Edgar’s Bakery broke ground on its new Trussville location at the corner of Main Street and Vann Circle in early December.
“This thing keeps growing for the opportunities,” Choat said. “We thought it would be a process where we would have to step A this year, then step B over the next three to five years. The way all of these pieces are falling into place, we think it will happen a lot sooner.”
Choat now believes the entertainment district will be complete in the next 18 to 24 months.
As developers work on their projects, Choat said the city will work simultaneously to improve infrastructure, which includes moving power lines underground and new side roads, as well as developing parking on street and in new lots. He said he hopes to have a finalized plan in place this month.
While the city has money in reserve to begin the project, Choat said, “Overall it’s probably going to use a bond issue somewhere down the road to support it.”
Choat said this is the largest part of the city’s downtown revitalization plan, which will also include an ALDOT widening of U.S. 11 going north toward the Cahaba River in late 2018 or 2019 and a renovation of City Hall, which will take place in the next three to five years.