By Brett Tannehill, Alabama Public Radio
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wual/local-wual-480887.mp3
Downtown Development Series -- Fayette
Fayette, AL – Our downtown development series starts in the city of Fayette, where a downtown built in 1911 is about to see a 2-million dollar makeover. Local merchants are excited and hope the plan will help them capitalize on the city's strengths. Brett Tannehill reports.
A bell inside the Fayette County Courthouse's shining golden dome chimes 12 times signaling high noon has arrived. But that bell could also be a sign that it's time for change.
A couple of blocks down the street, Trent Mobley co-owner of Bolling Pharmacy, counts pills in a small tray something pharmacists have done at this location since 1917. Mobley is part of a citizens committee helping create Fayette's new downtown redevelopment plan.
We're looking forward to this generating a more user friendly environment for our customers and drawing more businesses to the downtown area, and keeping downtown Fayette a vital part of our community.
That means spending 2-million dollars in federal transportation grants on new landscaping and redesigned roads, sidewalks and sewer lines. Local merchants hope becoming more user friendly will help more customers experience Fayette's biggest assets it's small town quaintness, and customer service.
We pride ourselves on making everyone feel comfortable and at home.
Donna Kerr owns a women's and children's clothing store named Robbie's, which has been operating for the past 49 years.
I just want the feeling of downtown to engulf you when you come here and I want customers to feel at home. I know Northport was revitalized and it's a beautiful city within itself and that's how we want Fayette to look.
In fact, the citizens committee visited downtown Northport, among other places, while building Fayette's redevelopment plan. The committee liked Northport's colorful flower beds and cobblestone sidewalks. It also liked the way local merchants worked together. And these days, Dennis Fisher, another committee member who owns an antique store called Treasures, says that co-operation is needed.
Competition is not among merchants. It's among cities now. We're competing with Tuscaloosa and Birmingham. Business has changed over the last 35 years tremendously. And if you don't meet those challenges ... that's why we have a lot of businesses falling out.
But that's not to imply a scene of desolation. Downtown Fayette is home to one of Alabama's most beautiful courthouses. The surrounding area is well-tended, though its sidewalks and pavement are cracked in places. Traffic is not heavy, but steady.
(roll NS-chimes greeting)
Dana Beavers, owner of Tiskets, Taskets and Baskets, says her flower shop has seen its best summer since opening seven years ago. And she says the redevelopment has raised her hopes even higher.
I'm excited to think that one day people will be walking up and down the street, and coming in and out. Like the places in Gatlinburg.
Holding true to its small town personality while embracing new ideas from other places will be a challenge. But Dennis Fisher says Fayette is up to the test.
"I'm just so proud of this town, we have a lot of things going for us. I know we're in a slump economically and had a lot of industry close up. But we still have a wonderful product, and we have wonderful people selling that product."
City officials are working to finalize the redevelopment plan, and hope to begin letting bids by November. Construction is slated to begin in January.
For Alabama Public Radio, I'm Brett Tannehill.