As 2024 draws to a close, Alabama mayors are making wish lists.
They might not be able to control football schedules, or shorten the car line to the new Costco, but they do have big plans for jobs, businesses and safety in 2025.
What’s planned for Mobile?
In his final year as Mayor of Mobile, Sandy Stimpson said he wishes to finish his term off strong by finalizing plans for the Interstate 10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project, staying on schedule during the construction for the new civic center arena and adding another cruise ship to Mobile’s lineup.
“My resolution would be to finish strong because this is my last year. So we’re going to push through the finish line to do everything we can to assure that the next mayor is successful,” Stimpson said.
What’s planned for Birmingham?
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin said top goals are neighborhood revitalization and public safety.
Recently, the Birmingham city council approved the largest budget ever, with $582.6 million going toward investments such as pay raises for city employees, the Birmingham Police Department, neighborhood revitalization and education initiatives.
More than $20 million dollars will be spent for street resurfacing, sidewalks, traffic calming and expanded blight reduction efforts. The amended budget follows $16 million approved in October to increase recruitment and retention of police officers.
Woodfin said he also hopes to curb gun violence throughout the Magic City as it surpasses a tragic all-time homicide record.
“What we’re looking forward to in the future is at all levels,” he told AL.com.
What’s coming in Huntsville?
Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle said he wishes for a healthier city in 2025.
“We have our Parks and Rec working on different programs to get people out just to do something,” Battle said. “I always tell everybody, you don’t have to run a marathon or enter a triathlon competition, just go out and do some walking, something just to keep you healthy.”
Healthy Huntsville, an initiative led by Battle and the city’s Parks & Recreation Department, offers free programs throughout the year to help educate community members about the importance of health and wellness.
In 2025, Huntsville residents can participate in the Mayor’s Bike Ride in May, nutrition classes and Fitness in the Park events including yoga, Pilates and Zumba.
“A healthier community is a more productive community, and it’s a community that just feels better about itself. You can be more productive at work and at home,” Battle said.
What’s coming in Montgomery?
“These are things that we want to see help revitalize neighborhoods, along with increased development and growing our city’s population and our economy,” Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed told AL.com. “From public safety to neighborhood redevelopment to small business support that we think will make our community more prosperous.”
Reed said he wants to invest in public safety initiatives that will bring the city together.
In 2025, the city will launch new violence prevention initiatives such as Together We Rise, a more than $3 million program created to increase community engagement and curb violence.
“I wish for Montgomery to be more prosperous,” Reed said. “The goal is to fund intervention strategies and wrap around services that we believe will help those impacted by crime around our city. Part of being more prosperous is about seeing change through investment.”
Reed said the city is also investing in a new fire department, multiple community centers and the expansion of the downtown convention center.
“We think this will serve residents in a 21st century way, from health and wellness to financial literacy to after school programs,” Reed said.
