Phillips Drive temporarily closed near new store

Published 12:14 pm Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Residents of Phillips Drive in Gardendale have gotten their wish, at least temporarily.

Mayor Othell Phillips announced Tuesday morning that the city is temporarily closing the street near its eastern exit onto Fieldstown Road. That exit is adjacent to a new Dollar General store being built.

Residents of the area complained at the Gardendale City Council on Monday night that construction vehicles were often blocking the street while they worked on the new store, and were also using the street to go out to the other exit, further west on Fieldstown.

The closure is related to a petition filed by property owners who want the street to vacate a small portion of Phillips Drive just past the store’s entrance, effectlively turning the remaining portion of the street into a cul-de-sac in front of the home of Mark Cornelius. The former Gardendale High basketball standout and coach was one of those who spoke out at Monday’s meeting. Cornelius and his neighbors fear that store-related traffic will also take the kong route around Phillips Drive, increasing traffic on the narrow residential street.