HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) - A public safety building, with a long history is the topic of discussion for city planners.
The challenge: the Berachah property on Sparkman Drive. The question is a simple one, as explained by Huntsville long-range planner Dennis Madsen.
"How can this site make your life better? It's about 11 acres," explained Madsen. "Right now it's got a public safety complex, a gymnasium, and a really, really small library."
The Bessie K. Russell branch is popular but outdated. Madsen's main plan is to gut the safety building and make it a new state-of-the-art branch. But they don't want it to be a building in a parking lot, but a community space the neighborhood would want to use.
On February 9, Madsen and other city officials held an open forum to collect public input on the future of the site.
"People were clearly very invested in the site," said Madsen, pleased with the turnout of the community meeting. "Walking paths and greenways were very popular. Things like picnic pavilions or playgrounds."
It will be months before any changes will be made, and they plan to give residents multiple opportunities to chime in on tentative plans.
The future of Huntsville police and fire training is an obviously significant part of Berachah's future as well. Madsen says they are considering moving them to the J.O. Johnson High School site, which will be vacated by the time it's needed.