Alexander City, AL

Alexander City Comprehensive Plan: A Roadmap for Growth and Connectivity

Project Summary

The Alexander City Comprehensive Plan provides a strategic vision for the city’s next decade, focusing on sustainable development, enhanced connectivity, and preserving its rich history and cultural identity. Place Associates served as the design team lead, collaborating with Matt Leavell of Leavell Design Consulting and Jim Byard of Byard Associates. A hallmark of this plan is its structure as a dynamic, living document, equipped with practical tools and techniques for community use.

Outcomes

• Community Connectivity: Detailed strategies for improving walkability, developing greenway and trail systems, and enhancing connections between neighborhoods and public spaces.

• Economic Development: Initiatives to attract diverse industries, create job opportunities, and encourage mixed-use development for a thriving local economy.

• Accessible Tools for Implementation: The plan includes clear tools for different audiences, such as developers, community leaders, and residents, ensuring widespread usability. It highlights ongoing community engagement exercises, defines actionable steps for stakeholders, and offers access to potential grants and funding sources to support specific projects.

• Environmental Stewardship: Integration of green infrastructure and conservation areas, protecting Alexander City’s natural assets while supporting sustainable growth.

How Place Associates Contributed

As the design team lead, Place Associates guided the community-focused planning process, emphasizing collaboration and practical application. By facilitating public meetings and working closely with stakeholders, the team developed a plan tailored to the city’s needs. This user-friendly framework ensures the community can continuously adapt and implement strategies effectively, making it a valuable tool for long-term growth.