DesignAlabama visits Summerdale, reveals preliminary plans for development

By Jessica Vaughn
Posted 9/9/20

SUMMERDALE - Earlier this year, DesignAlabama revealed Summerdale as one of the towns to participate in their DesignPlace initiative. Being the third fastest growing municipality in the state, …

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DesignAlabama visits Summerdale, reveals preliminary plans for development

Posted

SUMMERDALE - Earlier this year, DesignAlabama revealed Summerdale as one of the towns to participate in their DesignPlace initiative. Being the third fastest growing municipality in the state, Summerdale offers plenty of opportunity for growth in its downtown and surrounding areas.

“Summerdale has a rich history and wonderful citizens. With our population having climbed over 75% in the last decade, I am often told by new residents that they consider it to be a hidden gem of Baldwin County. They are drawn to the community fellowship, great school system, and small-town charm. We are honored to have been chosen as a DesignPlace partner as we embark on this next chapter of enhancing and revitalizing our downtown and outlying areas,” said Mayor David Wilson.

At the end of August, DesignAlabama representatives visited the town to hold a charrette. The charrette was open to the public, who came out to share their ideas, hopes, and dreams of what they would like to see come to Summerdale in the future. Once DesignAlabama met with the town and the citizens, professionals provided designs, plans, and a new branding for the town to get them started towards revitalization. DesignAlabama presented these ideas, strategies for implementation, and the new town branding on the final day of the charrette.

Ideas given for the Tobacco Warehouse were children's museum, an indoor market/shopping destination, business incubator, a hotel, a restaurant, and an antique mall. Many citizens said they’d love to see more restaurant and shopping options come to the town, from franchises to locally owned businesses.

Most felt if the Tobacco Warehouse were made into an attraction or a shopping/dining destination, it could be used to draw more businesses to downtown. Businesses citizens said they'd love to see in town included coffee shops, a toy shop, retail shops with apartments on the upper floors, ice cream/dessert shops, and a pharmacy.

Businesses weren’t the only thing Summerdale citizens want to see come to the town. A large portion of responses concerned recreation and parks, with many voicing their desire for more walking and riding trails, sidewalk connectivity through town, a gazebo, covered seating at the splash park, and greenspace.

Another topic concerned community engagement. In the future, citizens and town officials alike want to see annual festivals take place in town to draw locals and tourists. Other event suggestions included monthly movie night on the green, community game nights, live music in the park, weekly farmers' market, and art programs for all ages. Some voiced suggestions for local programs including small business classes, incentives for local businesses, a local book club, and a garden club.

With the citizens’ suggestions and DesignAlabama’s preliminary plans and designs in hand, the Town of Summerdale will now move forward with planning the next steps towards downtown revitalization. For more information contact Shannon Carlson at 251-200-2176 or edc@summerdaleal.com.