By Jacqueline Chandler
News Correspondent
2014 proved to be another year of positive growth and development for the City of Attalla, as Mayor Larry Means and other city officials push for positive impacts on the municipality.
New events such as Treasures in the Street have already had a positive economic impact, with future projections showing a continual growth for the event. Treasures in the Street is a biannual event occurring in April and September that offers true antiques of all kinds to the public through vendors from all over the region.
After Attalla City Schools added a 4-K program, city leaders were able to provide the Headstart program with a new location at the former Stowers Hill School property, further expanding the property’s benefit for the city. Headstart currently enrolls 22 students between ages three and four.
Continued improvements to the city’s recreational department included the updating of park facilities with new paint at the pavilions located throughout the city, along with continued improvements to baseball and softball facilities.
Several new area businesses opened last year including Brother’s Wholesale Auction, Cotton Belle, Dee’s $ Plus and B and L Design. In addition, the city acquired the 4th Street School property and plans to clean up the location soon and is making plans for the new building located on the property.
Means believes that the most important goals for this year are, “attracting new business and industry and to continue help existing businesses to grow and thrive.” He and city council members are also very passionate about continuing to provide the citizens all the city services and paving that they always have had at a reasonable rate.
Future plans for the city include paving projects expected to begin in two months and continued expansion to youth recreation. The city has partnered with the Attalla City Board of Education to provide more youth sports. Etowah High School already has added fishing team and soccer teams as part of the expansion project.
“We are working with the Board of Education to keep our kids in Attalla and provide them more opportunities,” said Means.
Two prime properties – one located next to Walmart and the other located next to Johnson’s – have become available, and city officials are working to bring businesses into these locations this year. The property beside Walmart is ideal for bringing in a large retailer to the area. While talks are underway, the city is not yet ready to release a name.
“One of our priorities this year is to get another big retailer into the city this year,” said Means.
City officials also are continuing the cleanup project and focusing on the downtown area to make it a better place for city residents. The rejuvenation of downtown already has resulted in several loft apartments, along with beautifully decorated streets and a sense of historic downtown life, as many buildings have been remodeled to reflect their historic presence.