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Golden Springs hosts second installment of city council's listening tour

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

The Anniston city council had its second stop of the six-part Listening Tour at Norwood Hodges Community Center in Golden Springs Monday evening. More than 80 residents filled the meeting room to openly discuss ideas and roughly 20 residents publicly spoke about a myriad of possibilities for the city.

Ecotourism and sustainability were hot topics for Golden Springs residents at Monday’s Listening Tour stop. Many public speakers referenced “progressive” actions the city could take such as recycling initiatives and downtown events.

One woman simply asked for the council to keep a “big, big green spot” in McClellan, and her request began a larger discussion about a dog-friendly “bark park” in already fenced areas within the old military installation.

Some residents spoke about expanding downtown events to complement existing attractions like the Coldwater Mountain Bike Trail. Open discussions concerning new events on Noble Street led to talk about proposed legislation which would allow alcohol sales on Sundays in Anniston, and no public speaker openly opposed the idea.

Dilapidated buildings on Noble Street and elsewhere in the city were brought up, specifically a building across from Forestlawn Cemetery. Residents attending Monday’s meeting said that these buildings don’t help the city’s image.

A mention of curbside recycling received applause from a majority of the audience and sparked discussion of how the city could not only implement but profit from a recycling community. Mayor Vaughn Stewart said that city task forces are being formed to address recycling in Anniston.

Anniston resident Rebecca Van Marter attended Monday’s Listening Tour stop and said she wants to see Anniston’s historical beauty restored in ways similar to other southern cities and towns.

“I think it can be a balance of maintaining the character of the town...the traditions of the town, and being open to people having simple pleasures,” Van Marter said.

Transportation was a topic brought up by several resident speakers. One woman said she was confused by Anniston’s city bus service and asked about schedules and stops, and several men and women mentioned a lack of sidewalk space in some Golden Springs neighborhoods.

Councilman Jay Jenkins said that it is important for his “complete streets” initiative proposed last summer to be implemented in certain neighborhoods.

Connections between pedestrian walkways and potential tourism draws like the Chief Ladiga Trail were also discussed, with Mayor Stewart saying that there are plans underway to extend the the trail from Lenlock south to the Anniston Amtrak Station on 4th Street.

Eastern Bypass progress was also discussed in Monday’s listening tour, including what can be done about the potentially dangerous intersection with Henry Road. Councilwoman Millie Harris says to correct hazards at the intersection between a city-owned road and a state-owned highway depends on the council’s work with the Alabama Department of Transportation.

Harris said a meeting last week with ALDOT did provide a timetable for completion of Veteran’s Memorial Parkway. "It is right on schedule to be completed at the end of 2014," Harris said.

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Keywords: Eastern Bypass Millie Harris Vaughn Stewart Norwood Hodges Community Center bark park Veteran's Memorial Highway Henry Road recycling Forestlawn

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