2014 in preview

In 2013, residents of the U.S. 280 corridor endured tremendous change to their lifeline as the Alabama Department of Transportation’s (ALDOT’s) Intersection Improvement Plan was put in place. In January 2013, the corridor knew it was coming and had months to prepare, but what about 2014?  What are 280 residents watching for this year?

Key positions contested

The political landscape in Shelby County is preparing for change in 2014, as familiar faces will no longer fill several key positions.

Sheriff Chris Curry was first to announce his retirement, followed by Congressman Spencer Bachus and Ala. Rep. Mary Sue McClurkin. Expect political tension surrounding these positions heading into the summer primaries.

This year, candidate qualifying opens March 3 and closes April 4. Primary elections will follow on June 4 and the general election will be held Nov. 4.

Offices on the ballot will include:

Local representatives:

Property Tax Commissioner (Don Armstrong), District Court Place 2 Judge (Ronald E. Jackson), Superintendent (Randy Fuller), Coroner (Diana New), Sheriff (Chris Curry), 

Statewide:

Governor, Lieutenant Governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives 6th District, Attorney General, State Senate (all 35 Districts), State Representative, State Supreme Court, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Auditor, Commissioner of Agriculture & Industries, State Board of Education (four seats).

New emergency care could open

Last year, Brookwood Medical Center was cleared to proceed with its plans to construct a free-standing emergency medical department at the intersection of Alabama Highway 119 and U.S. 280 East.

The facility will be 19,600 square feet and house 12 exam rooms. Officials at Brookwood Medical estimate its cost at approximately $19 million. 

It will offer 24‐hour care and laboratory services, along with pharmacy and diagnostic services. According to a release, the free-standing ER is proposed to have triage protocols in place for stabilization and immediate transfer of patients requiring care from existing acute care hospitals in the Birmingham area. A helipad would also be available for emergency air transfer.

The facility is expected to be operational by the end of 2014.

Added safety in Dunnavant Valley

One of the primary objectives for Dunnavant Valley in 2014 is the repaving of Hugh Daniel Drive on Double Oak Mountain.

According to the Dunnavant Valley Small Area Plan, which was most recently updated last July, the City of Hoover is in line to receive funding to address the repaving and other safety concerns on the road. A guardrail is expected to be installed this year among other safety features.

Shelby County Development Services also anticipates the installation of a dedicated left turn lane on northbound Dunnavant Valley Road, and a dedicated right turn lane on southbound Dunnavant Valley Road at Hugh Daniel Drive. In the meantime, the county plans to install guide signs and over-intersection lighting at the site.

Other factors with an “Immediate” timeline in the plan include:

• Increasing police presence to reduce speeding on Dunnavant Valley Road

• Adding textured pavement, speed tables or raised crosswalks as traffic-calming devices

• Creating neighborhood watch and domestic violence education and prevention programs

• Reducing road blockages by stopped trains

• Preserving ridges, farmlands, wetlands and green spaces

• Creating a local land trust

• Reestablishing the Adopt-A-Mile and Adopt-A-Stream programs

Construction to begin on Chelsea community center

In October 2013, the Chelsea City Council got its first look at the plans for the proposed $3 million community and senior center, designed by architect and former city clerk Bob Wanninger. Mayor Earl Niven said construction is expected to begin in spring 2014.

The new community center will be located on County Road 47 across from Liberty Baptist Church. Niven said the facility will be approximately 29,000 square feet and house multiple new features for Chelsea residents.

“We’re bringing a facility to Chelsea that gives senior adults more activities, provides youth with more basketball courts, a walking track for young and old and places for light exercise,” he said.