Wednesday evening was a monumental day for the historic preservation of downtown Prattville.

Officials, residents and lovers of history were present for the groundbreaking of the Picker House, which will soon be renovated into a beautiful restaurant with decks overlooking Autauga Creek.

Gadsden City Council members approved a second entertainment district for the future development of the city's western riverfront property.

An entertainment district allows people to take marked alcoholic beverages from one venue to another.

The City of Saraland is so excited about the progress at “The Land.” Mayor Rubenstein and Councilmember Natalie Moye joined Chelsey on Studio10 to talk about everything that will be involved. From an indoor facility to multiple fields, the City is so excited for phase one to be done by early 2025. That will include most of the outdoor facilities.

The Historic Preservation Commission, or HPC, approved a slew of line items for updates, improvements and renovations to the Picker House, a historical landmark in downtown Prattville.

The renovations are in hopes of turning the Picker House into a two-story restaurant in the heart of downtown Prattville.

The Historic Preservation Commission, or HPC, approved multiple upcoming renovations for Spillway Park in downtown Prattville.

The park will have additional parking for downtown, a walking path along 4th street with a green space and a boardwalk along the Autauga Creek, an outdoor pavilion venue with public restrooms and renovations to the warehouse are all in the works for Spillway Park.

The City of Gadsden is looking at revamping the sports complex on West Meighan Boulevard. Initially, an aquatic center was proposed for the complex. Tuesday, the city council voted to enter into a contract with an architectural firm to evaluate the entire property.

Wednesday was a big day for the city of Saraland as a groundbreaking was held for the “largest” multi-use facility in Mobile County.

“It was a very very historical day in the City of Saraland,” Parks and Recreation Director Ashley-Nicole Flowers said.

This fall, the city of Saraland’s massive, $72 million sports complex called “The Land,” will open, and construction is underway now.

The city of Northport will break ground on River Run Park, its 36-acre baseball and softball complex, later this month on the banks of the Black Warrior River.

As the Thread has previously reported, River Run Park and the broader Northport Shore development that will house it are one of three major recreation projects the city is planning to develop simultaneously.

Today, local hospitality brand Pihakis Restaurant Group (PRG) announced the opening of a new restaurant and market in the heart of Homewood. Read on to learn more about Luca Lagotto and Luca Mercato Lagotto.

Many communities have recently made an effort to expand and enhance their athletic facilities to tap into the lucrative sports tourism industry. Annual reports validate the impact these events can have on local economies.

So, when it was first announced that the city of Saraland was in the planning stages to create an athletic complex called The Land, some assumed it would be to attract similar competition.

In fact, a series of interviews with key personnel proved it is the exact opposite.

Two residential halls at Tuskegee University are getting a major facelift, and their renovation is also helping expand awareness about the two pioneering Black figures whose names are attached to the buildings.

Officials at the historically Black university described the $44 million overhaul to Lewis Adams Hall and Olivia Davidson Hall as a “commitment to enhance the student on-campus experience.” The renovations, which began last month, are expected to be completed in August, just in time for fall semester.

Tuskegee, AL – Tuskegee University is excited to announce significant renovations to Adams Hall and Olivia Davidson Hall as part of its commitment to enhance the student on-campus experience.

The comprehensive renovation of these historic residence halls will introduce 298 modernized beds to the university’s housing options. Lewis Adams Hall, encompassing 54,000 square feet, will accommodate 152 beds. Olivia Davidson Hall, covering 42,000 square feet, will offer 146 beds. With a construction budget of $37 million, this project is funded by Rice Capital Financial and the U.S. Department of Education.

Nick Pihakis strolls through the dining room of the Pihakis Restaurant Group’s soon-to-open Luca Lagotto restaurant and ventures into the kitchen, where cooks will prepare made-from-scratch pizzas in ovens imported from Italy.

PRATTVILLE ‒ After an eight-year, $37 million effort, the work to preserve Prattville’s iconic downtown landmark is a wrap.

The Mill at Prattville now has 127 loft-style apartments across five historic, masonry buildings that are known to locals as “The Gin Shop," what was once Daniel Pratt’s industrial complex.

Ribbon cutting for 'The Mill' in Prattville

Northport’s future River Run Park, encompassing the Black Warrior River, Kentuck Park, Warrior Baseball and Northport’s Levee Trail, got a debut look at Tuesday’s Northport City Council meeting.

The council presented an outline of the design and future of the park, which will include nine baseball and softball fields, park space and river access.

Leaders gathered in West Tuscaloosa Tuesday to break ground on the new $12 million Benjamin Barnes YMCA after a decade of delays and debates about the facility's future.

The Barnes branch first opened in 1961 at 2939 18th Street in West Tuscaloosa with funds raised by Black leaders to serve their community - the Civil Rights Act did not outlaw segregation until 1964.

The dream that drove the almost decade-long crusade to preserve Prattville’s historic “Gin Shop” seemed at times like a nightmare. The effort was marred by delay after delay and unforeseen roadblocks. Then the whispers began − “boondoggle,” and “it’ll never happen.”

PRICEVILLE — The $7.2 million Priceville Event Center will open this month with a multisport gymnasium and second-floor walking track eight years after city officials first discussed building a recreation center and six years after they borrowed money for it.

Officials gave a tour of the center Tuesday, and its other features include a multipurpose room that can seat around 90 people at tables, an exercise gym and a catering kitchen. The city plans a ceremony at the building at 6 p.m. Wednesday and will open the 26,000-square-foot facility for public viewing. However, the facility won't become operational until final details and inspections are completed, Priceville Mayor Sam Heflin said.