HUNTSVILLE — In a year of the city receiving accolade after accolade nationally and internationally, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle said one particular mention was “the coolest.”
“The coolest praise came when the Orion (Amphitheater) was mentioned in Rolling Stone,” he said. “We made the cover of the Rolling Stone.”
Battle made the remark during Tuesday’s annual State of the City address – Battle’s 14th since being elected in 2008. The sold-out gathering in the Von Braun Center was hosted by the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber and is the group’s largest annual event.
Battle spoke of the city’s quality of life now and for generations to come.
“They are the ones who will benefit from the investments we make today,” he said. “Quality of life means different things to different people. That’s why everything we plan, develop and build is done with transparency and prudence.
“It is done with purpose, a strategy.”
Battle said investments in roads, greenways, parks, entertainment and other amenities benefit current residents and future Huntsvillians.
“Quality of life investments will help attract the best and the brightest,” he said.
Among the many projects to see fruition over the next few years is the second phase of Battle’s Restore Our Roads initiative.
With Huntsville now being the state’s largest city and more people expected to move here (a measurable growth of 4,500 to 5,000 people Battle told reporters after his address), the road projects are a front-burner item. The projects, which will cost an estimated $800 million, will enhance traffic flow around the city and in and out of Redstone Arsenal.
“With growth, we may not be able to provide an 18-minute (average) commute for everyone, but we’re working to keep traffic moving, safe, and manageable,” Battle said. “None of these projects would be possible without careful planning, wise spending and strong relationships with our regional, state and federal partners.
“As we grow our infrastructure, we will be able to keep our quality of life.”
Battle also highlighted the 24% growth in employment in the Huntsville metro area over the past 12 years.
“Anyone who wants a well-paying job in Huntsville can find one,” he said. “Now that we’re on the map, folks are checking us out. We’re in the enviable position, and we’ve got great stories to tell.
Battle said the city met a challenge of building a strong middle class.
“We’re able to establish a middle income level and give people the opportunity to buy a house, put a roof over their head,” he said. “We have a full range of upper income, middle income and entry-level jobs.”
Despite the accolades and the top rankings, Battle said there’s still room for improvements.
“Great is a finite place,” he said. “We want to be better. The state of our city is strong.
“We’re not going to rest on our laurels.”
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