Story by Emily Kirby
moc.liamgobfsctd@nvm.ybrikylime
Mayor Brian Baine led the Fort Payne State of the City Address last Thursday in the city auditorium in partnership with the Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce and FTC.
Baine, who previously served on the council and was elected to the seat in 2020, spoke on the council’s accomplishments before and during their term, setbacks, current projects, and plans for the future.
Baine credited the former administration for leading the demolition process of the old Fort Payne Hospital in 2022 that was several years in the making. The land cannot be used for residential purposes, so the city is looking at other options, including a dog walking park, playground, a space for food trucks, and more, Baine said.
The current administration has also:
- conducted a payroll study and noted the need for a pay increase for city workers to meet the state average, in addition to adding holidays, adjusting vacation and a long-term disability policy. Baine said this is essential for securing and retaining employees.
- purchased a fire engine and ladder truck, with another to be delivered this summer.
- installed a rail tanker at the fire department training center through a partnership with Norfolk Southern.
- purchased new sanitation trucks and fleet vehicles for fire and police departments.
- purchased two cardiac monitors, two generators, and is currently installing infrastructure for a new radio system for the fire department.
- hired a lobbyist in Washington D.C. to represent Fort Payne to better secure federal funds for projects, including radios for the police department ($670,000) and the much-discussed overpass ($1M earmark for a feasibility study.)
- hired a grant writer which has allowed the city to receive three grants, one of which will hire two new School Resource Officers.
- purchased radios for P-25 radios for the police department with a $670 appropriation from state legislators.
- began the complete remodel of the police department (old City Hall) and will possibly be moved back in late summer. It is now developed with a 48-seat training room ,”war room,” designated public entrance, and more.
“All of these things cost money, and we’re working with our grant writers to make sure we are shaking every tree and finding every avenue that we can to make the best possible decisions to make sure the money is spent well to further Fort Payne.”
During the last administration’s term, property was purchased on the north side of the city to build a new sports complex and to give Heil the ability to expand onto the site of the current complex. However, with an influx of more necessary projects and Heil’s change of plans, the funds were redirected to the sewer project on Airport Road, the overpass, and put back into the current complex. Baine said of the allocated $25M, $10M went to the sewer project and $10M to the overpass project.
The sewer project includes:
Phase 1: extend the gravity sewer from 49th street from Jet Polymer to Highway 11 at Bill Wills Creek, which made sewer available to Terrapin Hills and areas for potential growth. The total cost was $3.5M.
Phase 2: 60% of this project is complete for a total of $14M. Extends sewer from the airport to the WZOB pump station. Eliminates three sewer pump stations and makes the area available along Airport Road.
Phase 3: The design is 75% complete and 80% of the easements have been obtained. It will extend the gravity sewer from Highway 11 at Big Wills Creek to the Airport, complete the continuous gravity sewer from Bailey Bridges on Gault Avenue to WZOB, and eliminate one pump station and allow sewer for potential industrial properties.
“You ask why we do all this, you’ve got to have that infrastructure to be able to grow,” he said.
At the existing sports complex, the baseball, softball, and soccer fields were turfed, in addition to new fencing, new lighting, and bathroom and tower renovations. Baine said a ribbon-cutting will be held within the next few weeks.
“It has already proved to be a beneficial move, because all of our restaurants are staying busy on the weekends and people are in town and spending money,” he said.
Baine spoke to the future of Fort Payne, and encouraged residents to visit fortpayneforward.com to see the city’s “Master Plan.” Through surveys, city leaders received many responses asking for more housing and entertainment, such as a movie theater and bowling alley, which Baine said there are discussions about how to accomplish those needs.
As far as the land purchased for a new sports complex, he said that is on the back burner, but they hope to build an amphitheater for outdoor concerts, including June Jam, along with fields for disc golf and pickleball, and hiking and biking trails.
The city also purchased the old GH Metal building downtown that extends from 2nd Street N to 4th Street N where they hope to incorporate shops, eating establishments, a brewery, entertainment, and an outdoor stage. Baine said they hope this addition will make downtown more walkable and complement the work already accomplished by the Fort Payne Main Street organization.
Another property across from Little Ridge Intermediate School and consisting of 26 acres, is prime property for development, Baine said, and the city hopes to recruit a hotel and more eating establishments to that end of town.
On the south end, Food City is set to open in late summer, along with Scooter’s Coffee. The Food City building will have another retail space available, but it has not been announced what it will house. He said other “big box stores have inquired about coming to Fort Payne.”
Baine reiterated that the much-discussed overpass project is a long process, and city officials will “go to Washington as many times as it takes.”
“We are working diligently and working to get something started,” he said.
A dedication will be held for Patriot’s Memorial Park on May 27 at 2 p.m. and pavers are still for sale. Baine also encourages the public to come out and participate in Boom Days Heritage Festival Sept. 20 and 21 in downtown.
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