A reflection on 2024 in City Council District 2 reveals a remarkable year that included a range of projects and a beloved cemetery ravaged by a tornado.
The district, made up of the eastern parts of Huntsville that includes the Big Cove area, saw projects ranging from an accessible fishing pier at Hays Nature Preserve to the City’s new Transit Center at 521 Pratt Ave.
“We are proud to see commercial development continue to grow in D2 as well as the City’s new Transit Center, which will help expand options for public transportation into the future,” D2 Council Member David Little said. “At the same time, we were heartbroken to see Maple Hill Cemetery suffer so much damage from the tornado, but the recovery effort has been uplifting. We’re eager to see what 2025 will bring.”
Council Member Little praised the response of the City’s Public Works Department and Huntsville Utilities in the aftermath of the storm.
Here are some 2024 highlights in D2:
- Council Member Little, along with Mayor Tommy Battle and other officials, arrived at the Aug. 29 ribbon cutting for the new Transit Center via Orbit bus. The new facility has 14 bays and provides more amenities and convenience to riders, including a 3,880-square-foot lobby building that includes a ticket counter and comfortable waiting area.
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The hands-free ordinance , which prohibits the handling of electronic devices by drivers and sponsored by Council Member Little, went into effect. The ordinance is making Huntsville streets safer to travel.
- The City broke ground on the Huntsville Police Department’s new crime scene investigation facility at 616 Wheeler Ave. The facility will be equipped with state-of-the-art labs, office space, evidence processing areas and vehicle processing bays. The campus will also feature a separate, climate-controlled 13,500-square-foot building dedicated to vehicle and evidence storage.
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Food City opened its first Huntsville location on Oct. 29 in the Hampton Cove area off U.S. 431 and held a groundbreaking for its under-construction location just off U.S. 72 East near Chase Creek that will open in 2025. Altogether, Food City is building six locations in Huntsville, creating more than 1,300 jobs.
- The ADA-compliant James Gordon Williams Pier at Hays Nature Preserve provides fishing opportunities for everyone at Bar Lake. Williams donated $85,000 to build the pier to give back to the community and express his appreciation for the Hays family, for whom he worked as their longtime accountant.
- Stella at Five Points opened at 401 Pratt Ave., bringing more than 350 apartments to the downtown area as well as 3,500 square feet available for ground-floor retail.
