Smoking ordinance, highway top city

Published 9:14 pm Monday, January 2, 2006

As a new year begins, Cullman Mayor Don Green took time recently to reflect on the city’s good fortunes during the year 2005 as well as prospects for the future.

At the top of his list of things he’s most thankful for is the support and cooperation of city council members, department heads and the many employees who are involved in the day-to-day operation of the city.

“Having the support of those you work with to provide the daily services our citizens deserve and have come to expect is very important,” Green said. “I’ve made the statement many times during the past five years that while I’ve been involved in city government for many years now, I never realized how good our department heads were until I got this job. And I certainly appreciate the administrative staff here at City Hall. City Clerk Lucille Galin and the whole staff do an excellent job.”

In looking back at accomplishments this past year, Green said a revision of the city’s smoking ordinance and five-laning of the U.S. Highway 278 West to create a new gateway into downtown Cullman, were among the top highlights of the year.

“Hopefully, we’re going to see more and more people exit the interstate at 278 and drive directly into our downtown area, rather than continuing north to Alabama Highway 157 (310 Exit),” Green said. “There will always be a lot of traffic on 157, but we hope the improvements that have been made to 278 will help relieve some of that traffic load by providing a more direct route into downtown.”

The new and improved Highway 278 was opened to through traffic from U.S. Highway 31 to Interstate 65 in October.

The city council in June passed a more restrictive smoking ordinance which required all local businesses to designate themselves as either “smoking” or “smoke free.”

The revised ordinance officially went into effect on Nov. 13.

New commercial and industrial developments and expansions throughout Cullman in the past year have also added to the local job market as well as increased the city’s tax base, Green said.

“We’ve seen commercial development in virtually every area of the city from southwest Cullman along Cherokee Avenue and Olive Street, to Main Avenue Southwest, along Second Avenue (U.S. Highway 31) and Alabama Highway 157,” Green said. “We’ve also seen continued expansions among existing industry. I learned a long time ago that the most important industries we have are the ones that are already located here and we want to make sure that they have what they need to continue to be successful.”

Other highlights of 2005 include:

‰ Letting of bids for the Field of Miracles at Ingle Park.

‰ Beginning construction of the Graham Street and Cleveland Avenue extensions into Ingle Park.

‰ Sanitation Department cleaned up Industrial Park No. 5 property on Alabama Highway 69, saving the city thousands of dollars in contract costs.

‰ Installed security cameras on Lake Catoma through FEMA grant funds.

‰ Worked with the county to widen the county road from St. Joseph Drive to Commerce Avenue.

‰ Extension of St. Joseph Drive across Highway 157.

‰ Classifying and organizing the city’s various codes for easy reference.

‰ Organization of a City Band through parks and recreation.

There are several things to look forward to in 2006, as well, Green said.

“In addition to continued industrial and commercial growth, I look forward to seeing the completion of the new Miracle Field, getting the city’s recycling program back up and running and construction of a new farmers market downtown,” Green said. “With the support of the council we were able to accomplish a lot of positive things in 2005 and 2006 is shaping up to be just as exciting.”

Among the projects Green listed as top priorities in 2006 were:

‰ The hiring of a city planner to coordinate implementation of a comprehensive plan for the city.

‰ Continued discussions and negotiations with CSX Railroad in an attempt to resolve issues associated with the city’s planned purchase of the Greif Bros. property on Second Avenue Northeast.

‰ Finding a permanent home for the city’s police department.

‰ Installation of streetscapes along Highway 278 West with sidewalks, trees and landscaping.

‰ Extension of water and sewer and other infrastructure to Industrial Park No. 5.

‰ Pavement projects on Convent Road, King Edward Street and Third Avenue, Olive Street, and a section of St. Joseph Drive.

‰ Widening of the intersection of Sharpton Road Northeast and Alabama Highway 157.

‰ Continue working to replace, repair and clean sidewalks in town.

‰ Begin the use of thermoplastic turn arrows and stop bars.

‰ Completion of a 24-inch loop line now under construction.

‰ Completion of sewer line improvements along Highway 157.