Huntsville secures $20M federal grant for pedestrian access, flood mitigation project

HUNTSVILLE — The city’s vision for improving downtown pedestrian access while providing an economic boost to low-income communities is a step closer to reality after securing $20 million in federal grant funding.

The pedestrian access and redevelopment corridor (PARC) project has been on Huntsville’s wish list for more than a decade, but funding shortfalls kept the project in a holding pattern.

So, to help close the funding gap, Huntsville applied for a Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Now, the awarding of the grant ensures PARC can move ahead.

“Huntsville welcomes the RAISE grant, which will allow us to take property out of flood zones, enhance connectivity and improve our transportation grid along Pinhook Creek,” Mayor Tommy Battle said. “We appreciate our partnership with the federal government and this grant, which will help us take Huntsville to the next level.”

Project goals

The city has said the key aspect of PARC is connectivity. The project will connect downtown with the Mill Creek and Lowe Mill communities via greenways and a suspended pedestrian bridge. These three areas are separated by Memorial Parkway and Governors Drive.

The project will also include major enhancements along Pinhook Creek in the downtown district to reduce flooding and improve the floodplain along the creek. Upon completion, the Pinhook Creek area will feature new public recreation amenities while also connecting multiple neighborhoods.

“This project has been a continuous goal for the city since 2006,” said Shane Davis, Huntsville’s Director of Urban & Economic Development. “The completion of the project will provide a safe multimodal hub for pedestrian and bicycle connectivity for multiple areas of Huntsville as well as new downtown recreation opportunities.

“Over time, the city will use this project to connect north and south Huntsville, Five Points, Lowe Mill, John Hunt Park and even Research Park with alternate modes of mobility.”

The city said the project will also offer a significant boost to low-income communities. Some 5,000 people within a half-mile of the project will have easier access to health care and employment opportunities.

“This is one of those quality-of-life projects that will have enormous benefits for anyone who lives, works and plays downtown,” Battle said. “We are grateful for our local, state and federal partners who helped secure this last piece of the puzzle.

“I especially thank Sen. Richard Shelby and his team for their assistance in procuring the grant, as well as Sen. Tommy Tuberville and Gov. Kay Ivey, who went above and beyond in expressing their support for the project.”