HACKLEBURG, Ala. (WHNT) – Feb 22, 2013
As the two-year anniversary approaches of the deadly tornado outbreak of April 2011, life is still not back to normal for some towns.
Dozens of singlewide trailers all in a row, now make up Hackleburg High School.
“It`s a nice facility but it’s nothing you really want to stay in for a long period of time,” said Hackleburg Police Chief, Kenny Hallmark.
It’s a stark contrast from the school that once sat just across the street.
The tornado that ripped through the area on April 27th, 2011, demolished that building.
“At first I didn`t think it would bother them that much, I figured it would affect the community, or the people who had been in school more than it did the kids, but now it`s starting to affect the kids,” said Hallmark.
While the school`s under construction, there`s still no where for student athletes to play their games. Students must travel for every event, which some people say is also taking a toll on the school community.
“That`s something this town is built on is the pride of their school and athletic teams and its beginning to weigh on them,” said Hallmark.
Finally, heavy equipment sets, ready to run. When the weather cooperates, dirt is getting moved for the town’s new school complex.
“It’s kinda picked the spirits up , once the building starts going up, I think that will help the spirits also for the people in town, but its been a long time coming,” said Hallmark.
While the wet ground has delayed progress crews expect to have the school built from ground up in the next year and a half.
Bids for the sports complex went out Friday. All other construction bids have been approved.
VIDEO... http://whnt.com/2013/02/22/hackleburg-school-on-way-to-recovery/
Showing posts with label AL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label AL. Show all posts
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Senator Sessions Tours Rebult Hackleburg Wrangler Plant
Feb 20th 2013' HACKLEBURG, AL (WBRC) -
Another business is on the road to recovery in the Marion County town of Hackleburg.
Wednesday, Senator Jeff Sessions toured the VF Jeanswear Wrangler distribution center, which was wiped out in the April 27 tornadoes. The plant sits on a hill, and on April 27, 2011 it became a field of twisted metal and jeans in only a matter of seconds.
Before the tornado, the Wrangler plant was by far the town's biggest employer with 150 employees. Without it, Hackleburg faced a bleak future.
The state contributed $31 million to bring the plant back, and Hackleburg added $200,000 to that amount. When the new plant reopens in May, it will employ 200 people.
"They made a commitment to come here. They were assisted by all the local governments, and it was really important to me. I really felt and I know a lot of us felt that it was important that this plant come back here, psychologically and economically," Sen. Sessions said.
A total of 18 people were killed in the Hackleburg tornado, including one person who died inside the plant.
Copyright 2013 WBRC. All rights reserved.
FOR VIDEO....
http://www.wsfa.com/story/21290580/sen-sessions-tours-rebuilt-wrangler-plant-in-hackleburg
Another business is on the road to recovery in the Marion County town of Hackleburg.
Wednesday, Senator Jeff Sessions toured the VF Jeanswear Wrangler distribution center, which was wiped out in the April 27 tornadoes. The plant sits on a hill, and on April 27, 2011 it became a field of twisted metal and jeans in only a matter of seconds.
Before the tornado, the Wrangler plant was by far the town's biggest employer with 150 employees. Without it, Hackleburg faced a bleak future.
The state contributed $31 million to bring the plant back, and Hackleburg added $200,000 to that amount. When the new plant reopens in May, it will employ 200 people.
"They made a commitment to come here. They were assisted by all the local governments, and it was really important to me. I really felt and I know a lot of us felt that it was important that this plant come back here, psychologically and economically," Sen. Sessions said.
A total of 18 people were killed in the Hackleburg tornado, including one person who died inside the plant.
Copyright 2013 WBRC. All rights reserved.
FOR VIDEO....
http://www.wsfa.com/story/21290580/sen-sessions-tours-rebuilt-wrangler-plant-in-hackleburg
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Hackleburg and NW AL Receive Long Term Recovery Funds
Hackleburg to get $4.8M for recovery
By Bernie Delinski
The Decatur Daily, 12/20/12
HACKLEBURG — Amid all the speeches made Wednesday in announcing more than $15.75 million in tornado disaster relief funds — including $8.1 million for northwest Alabama — a single statement from an audience member seemed to speak loudest.
More....
http://www.decaturdaily.com/stories/Hackleburg-to-get-48M-for-recovery,109637
By Bernie Delinski
The Decatur Daily, 12/20/12
HACKLEBURG — Amid all the speeches made Wednesday in announcing more than $15.75 million in tornado disaster relief funds — including $8.1 million for northwest Alabama — a single statement from an audience member seemed to speak loudest.
More....
http://www.decaturdaily.com/stories/Hackleburg-to-get-48M-for-recovery,109637
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Businesses return to 15th Street and McFarland, Tuscaloosa
Published: Sunday, January 29, 2012
During that time, business owners and city officials have come into conflict while navigating the line between the city’s vision for its future and businesses’ rebuilding needs.
While there have been disagreements between the two over the city’s plans, several business owners in the areas affected by the tornado say they are starting to work better with the city on finding a balance between compliance with new, more restrictive city regulations and returning to business as usual.
Tommy Metrock’s Boulevard Salon on McFarland Boulevard was one of the smallest businesses destroyed and is one of the smallest to return.
Design Alabama: Forward Tuscaloosa - Disaster Recovery Article
To read the Design Alabama artcile in its entirity, please click here.
One of the worst tornado outbreaks ever to hit the United States occurred over a four-day period April 2011, causing catastrophic destruction, particularly in Alabama. An EF-4 twister described as “very large and exceptionally destructive” struck Tuscaloosa April 27. To devise a means of recovery, Mayor Walter Maddox formed the Rebuild Tuscaloosa Task Force, which put together the Tuscaloosa Forward Strategic Plan – a long-term vision born out of a public/private partnership and extensive citizen feedback. Main concerns addressed by the plan are housing, improving infrastructure and economic development. Tuscaloosa now has the opportunity to create updated land use that reflects the city’s urban core and replaces outdates codes and zoning, Maddox adds.
DA Journal 2011 | Volume XXI | “Forward Tuscaloosa” by Jessica Armstrong
One of the worst tornado outbreaks ever to hit the United States occurred over a four-day period April 2011, causing catastrophic destruction, particularly in Alabama. An EF-4 twister described as “very large and exceptionally destructive” struck Tuscaloosa April 27. To devise a means of recovery, Mayor Walter Maddox formed the Rebuild Tuscaloosa Task Force, which put together the Tuscaloosa Forward Strategic Plan – a long-term vision born out of a public/private partnership and extensive citizen feedback. Main concerns addressed by the plan are housing, improving infrastructure and economic development. Tuscaloosa now has the opportunity to create updated land use that reflects the city’s urban core and replaces outdates codes and zoning, Maddox adds.Teamwork saved Wrangler plant in Hackleburg, officials say
Published: Tuesday, January 24, 2012, 12:45 PM Updated: Tuesday, January 24, 2012, 12:57 PM
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Vote nears on new codes for buildings
By Jason Morton, Staff Writer, Tuscaloosanews.com
Published: Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at 3:30 a.m
TUSCALOOSA | The Tuscaloosa City Council on Tuesday made a final round of tweaks to a proposed set of new building and design codes for commercial areas in the tornado recovery zone.
The changes were made in anticipation of next week’s vote by the City Council to formally introduce the new rules and begin the legally required advertising period. ...
John McConnell, director of city planning, said the intent of the codes, as influenced by the Tuscaloosa Forward task force and community input, was to create and establish urban and retail areas that are also suitable for walking. ...
For more information, or to review the proposed code changes and zoning maps, go to http://tuscaloosaforward.com/recovery-planning/zoning.
FULL ARTICLE
Monday, December 5, 2011
Quick Response Helps Put Alabama on the Road to Recovery
By: Jim McKay and Marty Pastula on November 28, 2011, Emergencymgmt.com
On April 27, Robert Bentley’s 100th day in office as governor of Alabama, more than 50 tornadoes slammed the state, killing 243 people, severely damaging or destroying more than 15,000 homes and causing property damage estimated at between $2 billion and $5 billion. It was the deadliest tornado day since the 1925 Tri-State tornadoes and one of the costliest natural disasters in history.
Bentley earned praise for his leadership and decisive nature in response to the storms.Emergency Management magazine sat down with Bentley in August to discuss the state’s response to the tornadoes and the ongoing recovery efforts.
...How do you facilitate the recovery of the business community?
The [U.S. Small Business Administration] came in and set up in every area to help with small business loans. We also did some things to facilitate that with some of our manufacturing jobs. For instance, up at Hackleburg, where an EF5 tornado totally destroyed the town, we worked with the Wrangler plant there to not only save the 150 jobs in that small town, but because of the incentives and the package that we put together, we talked them into expanding to 200 jobs. That was one industry that we felt we had to save because if we did not save Wrangler, then Hackleburg would have disappeared.
Tuscaloosa had 1,000 businesses that were destroyed and 7,500 jobs were lost. But many of those have already started reopening and after their long-term plan for the city takes place, then those will be rebuilt and most of them had insurance. We did see a spike in our unemployment [in July], and I expect it to a go a little higher [in September].
It has been estimated that we will have about 50,000, at least temporary, jobs because of this rebuilding effort, and if that takes place it will bring our unemployment rate — which is at 9.9 percent — down to probably 7 percent. A lot of those are temporary jobs, but longtime permanent jobs will increase because there is stimulation in the economy with all the rebuilding taking place.
More...
On April 27, Robert Bentley’s 100th day in office as governor of Alabama, more than 50 tornadoes slammed the state, killing 243 people, severely damaging or destroying more than 15,000 homes and causing property damage estimated at between $2 billion and $5 billion. It was the deadliest tornado day since the 1925 Tri-State tornadoes and one of the costliest natural disasters in history.
Bentley earned praise for his leadership and decisive nature in response to the storms.Emergency Management magazine sat down with Bentley in August to discuss the state’s response to the tornadoes and the ongoing recovery efforts.
...How do you facilitate the recovery of the business community?
The [U.S. Small Business Administration] came in and set up in every area to help with small business loans. We also did some things to facilitate that with some of our manufacturing jobs. For instance, up at Hackleburg, where an EF5 tornado totally destroyed the town, we worked with the Wrangler plant there to not only save the 150 jobs in that small town, but because of the incentives and the package that we put together, we talked them into expanding to 200 jobs. That was one industry that we felt we had to save because if we did not save Wrangler, then Hackleburg would have disappeared.
Tuscaloosa had 1,000 businesses that were destroyed and 7,500 jobs were lost. But many of those have already started reopening and after their long-term plan for the city takes place, then those will be rebuilt and most of them had insurance. We did see a spike in our unemployment [in July], and I expect it to a go a little higher [in September].
It has been estimated that we will have about 50,000, at least temporary, jobs because of this rebuilding effort, and if that takes place it will bring our unemployment rate — which is at 9.9 percent — down to probably 7 percent. A lot of those are temporary jobs, but longtime permanent jobs will increase because there is stimulation in the economy with all the rebuilding taking place.
More...
Friday, November 25, 2011
Long-term plans for Holt focusing on improvement
Like their neighbors in the city, Holt and surrounding homes are putting together a long-term recovery plan to help put their community back together after a tornado devastated parts of it more than three months ago.
But unlike those in the city of Tuscaloosa, people in the Holt area don’t live in a municipality with powers over land use and zoning. The long-term plan for Holt will be different than Tuscaloosa, but its blueprint could be as important outside the city as inside.
“It’s a great step forward, because Holt has the opportunity to be better because of this,” said the Rev. Shaun Faulkner of the long-term plan.
Faulkner, who grew up in Holt, is a pastor at Soma Of Christ Church in the Holt area. His house off Holt-Peterson Road was destroyed in the April 27 tornado. In the two meetings he’s attended, Faulkner said people are excited and passionate about what they hope the Holt area looks like once it begins to rebuild.
“The greater Holt community coming together and having one voice is a good thing,” he said.
The Tuscaloosa County Commission requested that the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s long term community recovery program work with the Holt community in devising the plan. FEMA offers the service to cities, towns and unincorporated communities hit by a catastrophic disaster at no cost to the community.
Alabama LTCR Community Planning and Capacity Building Task Force Meets
The mission of the Community Planning and Capacity Building task force is to support and help build recovery capacities and community planning resources of the state and local governments. More on the CPCB task force: http://adeca.alabama.gov/C2/CPCB/default.aspx
See more on Alabama's overall Long Term Community Recovery Efforts: http://adeca.alabama.gov/ltcr/default.aspx .
In April 2011, many Alabama communties were impacted by severe storms that produced multiple tornadoes. To help these communities recover, Gov. Robert Bentley signed Executive Order No. 18 on June 13 which named the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs to be the coordinating agency under the direction of the Governor’s Office for long term recovery efforts.
Press Release, Sept 15, 2011, Public Grant Writing Workshop to Focus on Long-Term Community Recovery Two public grant writing workshops are being offered to Alabama residents, specifically those affected by the April 27 tornadoes. The workshops are being presented by the offices of Gov. Robert Bentley, Sen. Jeff Sessions and the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.
On Sept. 19, Jessica Dent of ADECA will present "A Primer on Grant Writing" to give basic information about grants and various aspects of the application process. It will introduce community-planning tools to assist in writing for highly-competitive grants that can help fund community development, economic development, educational improvement and more.
http://adeca.alabama.gov/C9/Resources/Document%20Library/Grant%20writing%20workshop%20news%20release.pdf
See more on Alabama's overall Long Term Community Recovery Efforts: http://adeca.alabama.gov/ltcr/default.aspx .
In April 2011, many Alabama communties were impacted by severe storms that produced multiple tornadoes. To help these communities recover, Gov. Robert Bentley signed Executive Order No. 18 on June 13 which named the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs to be the coordinating agency under the direction of the Governor’s Office for long term recovery efforts.
Press Release, Sept 15, 2011, Public Grant Writing Workshop to Focus on Long-Term Community Recovery Two public grant writing workshops are being offered to Alabama residents, specifically those affected by the April 27 tornadoes. The workshops are being presented by the offices of Gov. Robert Bentley, Sen. Jeff Sessions and the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.
On Sept. 19, Jessica Dent of ADECA will present "A Primer on Grant Writing" to give basic information about grants and various aspects of the application process. It will introduce community-planning tools to assist in writing for highly-competitive grants that can help fund community development, economic development, educational improvement and more.
http://adeca.alabama.gov/C9/Resources/Document%20Library/Grant%20writing%20workshop%20news%20release.pdf
About 200 residents turn out for long-range tornado recovery meeting in Cordova (slideshow)
Published: Friday, July 15, 2011, 7:27 PM Updated: Friday, July 15, 2011, 11:20 PM
CORDOVA, Alabama -- About 200 Cordova residents turned out Friday night for a community cookout and the launch of a long-range planning effort aimed at charting a road to recovery for the tornado-battered Walker County town.Two powerful tornadoes, one striking in the morning and one in the evening, devastated the downtown business district and surrounding residential neighborhoods on April 27.
Dana Odom and husband Larry owned a building in the historic downtown and turned out to listen to and participate in the recovery plan.
"We wanted to hear what was going on," she said.
The evening was organized by the Alabama Department of Community of Economic and Community Affairs and included representatives from Auburn University and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It was held at Cordova High School.
Slideshow: http://photos.al.com/4461/gallery/cordova_holds_community_planning_meeting/index.html
Video summary of the meeting http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChEc6aTrSjE
More of the article...
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/07/about_100_residents_turn_out_f.html
Birmingham City Council members get close look at Pratt City 6 months later, sees major task ahead
Published: Wednesday, November 09, 2011, 1:03 PM Updated: Wednesday, November 09, 2011, 1:48 PM
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Birmingham City Council President Roderick Royal and council members Maxine Parker and Steven Hoyt toured the Pratt City area of western Birmingham Tuesday to assess progress more than six months after the April 27 tornadoes decimated much of the area.
Council members said they wanted to see the area themselves following a letter from a resident complaining of a slow rebuilding initiative.
"I don't find it surprising what we saw because I see it on a daily basis," said Royal, whose district includes Pratt City.
Royal said the city's efforts must be accelerated.
"I believe we probably need to redouble our efforts with the delivery of basic city services, but it's important here to follow the leadership that's being provided," he said.
A team of volunteers from the American Institute of Architects has held forums to sketch ideas for rebuilding the area. The team will evaluate all aspects including commercial, residential and infrastructure needs. However, council members touring the scarred and underpopulated neighborhoods said that process will be long and expensive.
Meanwhile, the city must ratchet up its own efforts, Hoyt said.
More...http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/11/birmingham_city_council_member_5.html
Tuscaloosa schools, city to conduct survey to guide rebuilding efforts
Published: Thursday, November 10, 2011,
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- The Tuscaloosa City School System is working with the City of Tuscaloosa in a survey of families that were affected by the April 27 tornado.
Responses to the survey will be used to help guide the city's rebuilding efforts, according to Lesley Bruinton, spokeswoman for the Tuscaloosa City School System.
More...
http://blog.al.com/tuscaloosa/2011/11/tuscaloosa_schools_city_to_con.html
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- The Tuscaloosa City School System is working with the City of Tuscaloosa in a survey of families that were affected by the April 27 tornado.
Responses to the survey will be used to help guide the city's rebuilding efforts, according to Lesley Bruinton, spokeswoman for the Tuscaloosa City School System.
More...
http://blog.al.com/tuscaloosa/2011/11/tuscaloosa_schools_city_to_con.html
Tuscaloosa to hold community meetings for input on rebuilding plans
Published: Thursday, November 17, 2011, 12:09 PM
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- The city of Tuscaloosa announced that it is hosting four community meetings to hear citizens' ideas about detailed plans for recovery from the April 27 tornado.
The come-and-go meetings will focus on infrastructure projects described in the Tuscaloosa Forward strategic rebuilding plan will be held Nov. 28 through Dec. 1 from 4 to 7 p.m.
City officials and consultants from engineering firm Almon Associates will provide information and discuss proposed projects with citizens.
more...
http://blog.al.com/tuscaloosa/2011/11/tuscaloosa_to_hold_community_m.html
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- The city of Tuscaloosa announced that it is hosting four community meetings to hear citizens' ideas about detailed plans for recovery from the April 27 tornado.
The come-and-go meetings will focus on infrastructure projects described in the Tuscaloosa Forward strategic rebuilding plan will be held Nov. 28 through Dec. 1 from 4 to 7 p.m.
City officials and consultants from engineering firm Almon Associates will provide information and discuss proposed projects with citizens.
more...
http://blog.al.com/tuscaloosa/2011/11/tuscaloosa_to_hold_community_m.html
Return to Phil Campbell
Stan Ingold (2011-08-12)
PHIL CAMPBELL, ALABAMA (APR - Alabama Public Radio ) - School is getting underway across Alabama. For most kids, it's a matter of registering and buying school supplies. However, in the Northwest Alabama town of Phil Campbell, it's a different story. Following April's tornadoes, there is no high school to return to. City leaders are playing "beat the clock" to find classroom space before the opening bell rings on Monday. Alabama Public Radio's Stan Ingold returned to Phil Campbell and found a work still in progress © Copyright 2011, APR - Alabama Public Radio
LISTEN TO THE REPORT
PHIL CAMPBELL, ALABAMA (APR - Alabama Public Radio ) - School is getting underway across Alabama. For most kids, it's a matter of registering and buying school supplies. However, in the Northwest Alabama town of Phil Campbell, it's a different story. Following April's tornadoes, there is no high school to return to. City leaders are playing "beat the clock" to find classroom space before the opening bell rings on Monday. Alabama Public Radio's Stan Ingold returned to Phil Campbell and found a work still in progress © Copyright 2011, APR - Alabama Public Radio
LISTEN TO THE REPORT
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Huntsville-based agency among five organizations receiving federal grants
Published: Friday, September 02, 2011, 11:11 AM
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- The U.S. Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration is presenting grants of $100,000 each to five Alabama agencies -- including Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments in Huntsville -- to help communities recover from the April 27 tornadoes and storms.
Gov. Robert Bentley said the grants will give local officials additional planning and technical assistance as they work to rebuild community facilities and restore their economies.
The TARCOG grant is to be used to develop an economic recovery and resiliency plan for long-term growth through coordination of resources, prioritization of rebuilding efforts and regional collaboration.
Other $100,000 grants are going to:
• The North Central Alabama Regional Council of Governments of Decatur to create a strategic recovery and resiliency plan.
• The West Alabama Regional Commission of Northport to assist local leadership and economic development professionals in hard-hit areas like Tuscaloosa with business and industry recovery.
• The Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham to develop a disaster response and preparedness plan that focuses on protecting infrastructure and businesses and enabling local governments to provide assistance to their citizens.
• Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments of Muscle Shoals to support the development of a disaster recovery plan for the towns of Hackleburg and Phil Campbell.
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- The U.S. Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration is presenting grants of $100,000 each to five Alabama agencies -- including Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments in Huntsville -- to help communities recover from the April 27 tornadoes and storms.
Gov. Robert Bentley said the grants will give local officials additional planning and technical assistance as they work to rebuild community facilities and restore their economies.
The TARCOG grant is to be used to develop an economic recovery and resiliency plan for long-term growth through coordination of resources, prioritization of rebuilding efforts and regional collaboration.
Other $100,000 grants are going to:
• The North Central Alabama Regional Council of Governments of Decatur to create a strategic recovery and resiliency plan.
• The West Alabama Regional Commission of Northport to assist local leadership and economic development professionals in hard-hit areas like Tuscaloosa with business and industry recovery.
• The Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham to develop a disaster response and preparedness plan that focuses on protecting infrastructure and businesses and enabling local governments to provide assistance to their citizens.
• Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments of Muscle Shoals to support the development of a disaster recovery plan for the towns of Hackleburg and Phil Campbell.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Alabama tornadoes: Cities turn toward ways to rebuild
By
Published: Wednesday, July 27, 2011, 5:03 AM,
It's a path of destruction now -- a tragic trail left when a giant tornado cut across the city of Tuscaloosa, killing dozens of people, destroying businesses and ripping neighborhoods to shreds.
But someday, it could be a valuable asset -- a greenway stretching through the heart of the city that connects Tuscaloosa communities, provides a corridor for pedestrians and bicyclists, and serves as a perpetual memorial of the terrible tornado that struck three months ago today.
The "path of remembrance and revitalization" is just one of the visions that emerged from a task force that studied rebuilding Tuscaloosa. The first draft of Tuscaloosa Forward's ambitious plan incorporates everything from walkable village centers and green spaces, to prettified streetscapes and community storm shelters.
"I believe we owe it to those who died on April 27, those who are still missing and those who lost so much to rebuild this city in a way that honors them," Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox said. "We'd be doing them a disservice if we were satisfied with the status quo."
EnlargeOn the 3 month anniversary of the April 27th tornado outbreak , the City of Cullman is preparing for a major rebuild in the downtown area hardest hit by the EF4 tornado that ripped through town. Mayor Max Townson and local Cotton States insurance agent Lee Powell look to the future. Lee Powell jumps down from where his insurance business once stood to where the new garage is to be built. He plans to expand in size and live upstairs from his business. He plans to start rebuilding next month. (The Birmingham News/Joe Songer)Three months after the April 27th tornadoes gallery(7 photos)
Tuscaloosa's evolving plan is further along than most cities. But three months after the April 27 storms, communities large and small across the state are at least beginning to plot a path forward.
In Cullman, a downtown rebuilding plan that stresses historic restoration, loft dwelling and German-American architecture is expected to be presented soon to the City Council. In Cordova, residents are brainstorming with a range of experts to crystallize what they want their devastated town to become. In Pratt City and other Birmingham neighborhoods, a national design team from the American Institute of Architects will soon begin working with residents to develop a master plan for the future.
Birmingham architect Bruce Herrington, co-chairman of the steering committee for the AIA Design Assistance Team, said the work will encompass the whole Pratt community and will cover such elements as streets, sidewalks, public facilities, commercial development and parks.
more.... click on article title
Tuscaloosa Alabama Neighborhoods plan next move after storm
July 27, 2011 2:05 AM CST, by Sarah Massey, Ashley Chaffin and Jasmine Cannon
Forest Lake
By Sarah Massey
For residents of Forest Lake, the recovery over the last three months since the tornado has largely been focused on cleanup and planning for the future of the neighborhood.
Christine Dietsch, president of the Forest Lake Neighborhood Association, said there is a focus on keeping residents informed of what is going on in the larger planning process of the city and with Tuscaloosa Forward, as well as providing venues for residents to interact with city officials and those who will have an impact on the future of the neighborhood.
Dietsch said there have been “mixed reviews” by residents toward the plan put out by Tuscaloosa Forward because “there’s a level of uncertainty.” Many residents are concerned about what the future of Forest Lake will look like – unsure about what the surrounding area will be if they choose to rebuild now.
“Right now, the current focus is making it possible, and as easy as possible, for people who are in the process of rebuilding,” she said. “… Most people want to be able to know that if they rebuild, the empty lot next to them is not going to be a high-rise apartment building – of course that’s an exaggeration.”
Heather McCullar, a five-year resident of Forest Lake, is planning on staying in the neighborhood and said that she hopes Forest Lake remains primarily a residential area. She said that much of the focus of cleanup in the neighborhood has been tearing down houses and clearing lots so rebuilding can begin. She said there appear to be more residents staying than leaving and that morale is good.
“I think they’re frustrated with not being home, but I think they’re happy,” she said.
“People do want to come back,” Dietsch said. “People are pretty adamant about ‘I want to come back, I want to stay here, and I have a stake in this.’”
She stressed the importance of addressing people’s concerns within the neighborhood and providing people with as much information as possible throughout the rebuilding process. One venue where concerns will be expressed and information exchanged is at the Forest Lake annual meeting on Aug. 11 at 5:30 p.m. at the Forest Lake United Methodist Church. City officials will be present.
“I think that Forest Lake is so critical to the life of the city of Tuscaloosa that a lot of focus will be on Forest Lake,” Dietsch said. “… I see the character of Forest Lake remaining primarily residential, but I also think that there’s a lot of room for innovation, successful innovation that can serve as a model for what can happen in Tuscaloosa for the future.”
Rosedale
By Ashley Chaffin
The Rosedale community was directly in the path of the April 27 tornado as it pummeled through Tuscaloosa, taking almost everything with it. After the tornado had passed, what was left of the brick housing community was almost unrecognizable, except for a few walls left standing.
more... click on article title
Recovery resources: Expo provides information for storm victims
TUSCALOOSA | Tornado survivors received answers about how to make the transition from temporary to permanent housing at the Housing and Recovery Expo in Tuscaloosa.
...
The Alabama Housing Task Force, working with the Alabama Emergency Agency and FEMA, sponsored the expo. Community businesses, voluntary organizations, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and other state and federal agencies also participated in the expo. Open house attendees were also assisted with topics such as crisis counseling, foreclosures, insurance and legal aid.
Thomas Wilder, manager of Alagasco’s Rebuild Assistance Program, said that people typically wanted to know if rebates or grants are available for energy needs.
“We’re trying to get involved with the community and serve,” Wilder said. “We just want to make sure that they citizens are able to come back to us.”
more...
...
The Alabama Housing Task Force, working with the Alabama Emergency Agency and FEMA, sponsored the expo. Community businesses, voluntary organizations, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and other state and federal agencies also participated in the expo. Open house attendees were also assisted with topics such as crisis counseling, foreclosures, insurance and legal aid.
Thomas Wilder, manager of Alagasco’s Rebuild Assistance Program, said that people typically wanted to know if rebates or grants are available for energy needs.
“We’re trying to get involved with the community and serve,” Wilder said. “We just want to make sure that they citizens are able to come back to us.”
more...
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