By Kaitlin Hoskins
Gadsden Mayor Craig Ford and the City of Gadsden played host to guests at the annual State of the City presentation on Tuesday, Feb. 17.
The Venue at Coosa Landing was transformed into a showroom. The walkway inside the ballroom was flanked with posters on easels showing some of the 91 projects the city is working toward completing — including the Gadsden Athletic Center, Coosa Harbor development off U.S. Highway 411, the rerouting of U.S. Highway 411 and a new city hall complex on Broad Street.
On the other side of the room, a showcase of shiny new vehicles drew attention. A firetruck, a large grapple truck, two police cruisers, two police motorcycles and two police bicycles were on display.
Ford and Ruth Moffat, the city’s director of community engagement and social services, took to the stage to discuss progress across the city. During the hour-long presentation, Moffat, who stepped into a moderating role for the evening, asked Ford questions about projects, plans, accomplishments and hurdles.
Ford and Moffat discussed a variety of topics, including the financial state of the city, a recently secured $140 million bond, staffing, collaboration with state and local officials, clean-up efforts across the city and improvements to both the police and fire departments.
Ford praised the work of the city’s first responders, including fire Chief Vance Brown and police Chief Lamar Jaggears, and informed the crowd that when he took office, both departments were understaffed, but now, one was fully staffed and one was nearing full staff.
New fire stations were discussed as well. One being the fire station on Rainbow Drive in the Clubview area, and one that will be built along the Coosa River under the Meighan Boulevard bridge. That new station will include a water rescue unit and will be “state of the art,” according to Ford. The city was awarded $6.5 million in federal funding dollars for the new river station which will replace stations no. 1 and 6.
Ford also mentioned raises for city workers, the creation of city-led paving crew and the city’s relentless effort to secure federal funding.
“We go to D.C. and beg for money,” Ford said. “It’s your money. It is taxpayer money that we are trying to bring back to Gadsden.”
On the topic of funding, Ford and Moffat praised the previous administration for the fiscal responsibility they practiced.
“The previous administration left us in a great fiscal position,” Ford said. “We had money to do these things thanks to Mayor Guyton and that city council.”
In addition to securing federal and state grant funding and having a good fiscal foundation, Ford’s administration has raised the city’s revenue by 37 percent.
Perhaps the biggest revelation of the night, apart from a brief teasing of a new industry partner coming to Gadsden, was the acceleration of the Interstate 759 corridor project.
Ford described the state’s progress, including the state’s acquisition of land along the interstate’s route and he stated that contractors will be on site starting in November of this year.
“I always hear ‘when is 759 coming?’ ‘What about 759?’ and y’all it’s happening.” Ford said. “As God as my witness, 759 is getting done.”
At one point, Ford became emotional when discussing the growth of Gadsden.
“I grew up here, right down on Hoke Street.” He said. “I came back to Gadsden. I was one of those who finished with the military and said ‘I want to go home.’ I love this city. And to see the growth… it’s overwhelming.”
Ford credited the success of his administration thus far to the city employees and the city council, stating “nothing would get done without them.”
The night’s theme was transformation. At one point a small potted bamboo plant was brought on to stage.
Ford said his pastor had once mentioned the growth stages of bamboo, a plant that Ford jokingly said was “ugly.” Ford said his pastor taught that bamboo trees remain the same size for five years, with “no progress.”
He compared that to how life, and city governance, often works and feels. He said he felt that way in the past years of his first administration.
“You feel like nothing’s happening, you feel stuck and like you’re falling behind.”
Bamboo, however, has a transformation that seems to burst into life out of nowhere. The trees, which are growing roots underground and out of sight, in the sixth year grow as high as 90 feet.
And he promised that’s about to happen in Gadsden. “For four years, we’ve been building roots,” he said. “In the next 90 to 180 days, you’re going to see cranes all over this city.”
After a round of applause, Ford continued.
“Just sit back and wait and watch, in the next two years this city will be transformed,” he said. “You’re not going to recognize it.”
During the presentation, a video played on a large projector screen that highlighted various projects and plans. Toward the end of the video, a text on screen said “We’re not done yet.”
Ford echoed that sentiment when the video ended, stating, “We’re not done yet. We’re just getting started.”
