Gadsden Mayor Craig Ford said the city’s bond program is nearing completion and the projects identified in the Grow master plan are moving into architectural and engineering work, while major infrastructure projects and housing efforts continue alongside rapid growth.

“"The bond has almost been completed. Probably some fewer signing some more documents and everything, but the projects have been identified,"" Ford said, describing the projects as coming from the Grow master plan and already in architectural and engineering services.

Why it matters: The mayor framed the bond as funding a multi-topic set of capital projects that officials say respond to recent population and development pressures. Ford said the water board is building a reverse osmosis plant that the community has been anticipating and that the city is pursuing additional land or private developers to expand housing.

Details: Ford said the bond projects were selected from the Grow master plan and that the city is in procurement stages for architecture and engineering. He said the water board is building a reverse osmosis plant and that the city is exploring adding land to accommodate housing and pursuing potential private developments. On the Gadsden Athletic Center (the former Megan Complex), Ford said demolition bids are complete and building bids have been awarded; construction is expected to start soon.

Paving and drainage: Ford listed a program of road work the city is carrying out in phases to match available funding. He highlighted a completed repaving of George Wallace Drive that included replacement of two large storm pipes and drainage work near Cawthorn's Bakery done at the city’s expense while the state performed paving. He also said crews are finishing work in North Gadsden and will move next to Kyle Avenue.

Federal ARP funds: Ford said the Tuscaloosa Avenue drainage project is ongoing and that it accounted for roughly 40–50 percent of the city’s allocation of American Rescue Plan (ARP) money the city used for COVID-related recovery projects. He said the project required a road closure that will continue for several more weeks while crews complete work.

Next steps and limits: Ford said final administrative signings remain on the bond and that staff will continue procurement and construction work. He credited state partners and Director Cooper for recent progress on a separate item he described briefly as “July,” and said that item remains a high personal priority.

No formal votes or council actions on these projects were announced during the Mayor’s Minute; Ford reported progress and procurement status rather than council decisions or approvals.