Albertville leaders reflect on state of city
Article from Sand Mountain Reporter
Travelers through Albertville may be hard pressed not to find some type of economic development happening around them.
From a new grocery store, to new and relocated restaurants, to expansion at the city’s airport, growth and development is happening, said Albertville city leaders during the Albertville Chamber of Commerce’s annual State of the City event Tuesday.
“What a year we have endured,” said Mayor Tracy Honea. “Approximately a year ago, how many of us were worried about finding toilet paper?
Sand Mountain Park & Amphitheater
“Through all the hardships, our department heads have done a great job. I can’t say enough about their teamwork.”
The event, held at the newly opened Sand Mountain Park and Amphitheater, played host to many city leaders, business owners and managers, and the public looking to hear about how the city has weathered 2020 and COVID-19.
Economic Development Director Mike Price said COVID-19 slowed some development in town, but didn’t derail any plans completely.
“We are fortunate that nothing we were working on during COVID fell by the wayside,” Price said. “It created obstacles and slowdowns, but we are looking good and moving forward.”
New to the city
Price listed some of the new stores opening this year.
• Food City will be opening mid-April in the Albertville Marketplace, located on the site of the former K-mart.
• Ulta Beauty, also located in the Albertville Marketplace, will open mid-April. Ulta is one of the most-requested store for recruitment, Price said.
• Located at U.S. 431 and Rose Road, Spurlin Pointe shopping center’s Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins has opened, posting record first-week earnings. Also in the center will be Firehouse Subs and Venture Out Supply opening yet this spring. A parcel next to the current buildings is under construction, but no tenants have been announced.
• Dollar Tree is coming to a parcel located next to Jack’s restaurant on U.S. 431. Two other spaces are available, but tenants have not been announced.
• The Fairfield Inn and Suites has begun construction on U.S. 431.
• A Hampton Inn, located on Alabama 75, will break ground April 8. A Buffalo Wild Wings location is also slated for the site.
• Papa Dubi’s will host a ground-breaking ceremony later this spring for a new, one-of-a-kind restaurant concept on U.S. 431. A Beef O’Brady’s is also planned for the same parcel.
• The former Shoney’s restaurant on U.S. 431 will be razed to make way for a new restaurant, Price said. However, a timeline for the new occupants has not been announced.
• Rural King will be built on a site across U.S. 431 from Howard Bentley GMC. Groundbreaking is expected by midyear.
“Going forward, we continue to talk to developers,” Price said. “Things are getting back to normal. I think in the next six to 12 months we will have lots of similar announcements. There is lots of good momentum.”