Gardendale Mayor: “Market the city”

Published 8:00 am Friday, April 8, 2011

Gardendale Mayor Othell Phillips gave his annual State of the City address at the city’s Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Thursday.

His speech focused mostly on a need to “market the city” in order to increase awareness about Gardendale and hopefully bring in jobs and revenue.

He also highlighted various ribbon cuttings throughout 2010 as well as several improvements to the city, including a 2.4 percent interest bond on financing for the civic center and the new youth baseball program that takes advantage of Bragg Middle School’s baseball field.

Phillips ended the address with an update on Publix’s progress in opening a Gardendale branch. Phillips confirmed the store was opening in the future, and that the contract had been extended to allow time for the $17 million to come together.