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Since 1999, nearly 1,000 Your Town alumni have returned to their communities with motivation and tools to influence change in their communities and had significant positive impacts. We believe those impacts have helped improve Alabama.
The Board, facilitators, and speakers volunteer their time to develop the curriculum and train citizens for positive engagement in their community. Evidence of success can be found in the case studies. Additional opportunities for learning can be found in recordings of our webinars. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date with upcoming sessions. Also be sure to check our handy summary of the design process with glossary.
Featured Case Study
Downtown
Montevallo
Streetscape
Objective/Solution
Renovate Montevallo’s downtown area to create a more accessible and appealing streetscape that will draw in new businesses as well as investment in existing small businesses.
Community:
Montevallo, AL
Project:
Downtown Montevallo Streetscape
Timeline:
2017–2018
Biggest Takeaway
“I loved the experience of group discussion and decision-making with a group of people with conflicting agendas in a low-stakes environment. It’s a safe way to practice the tools and methods we need to utilize at our ‘real jobs’ with much higher stakes. I learned a lot from meeting with planners and other people in different fields related to mine. Plus, it’s a lot of fun. I highly recommend YTA!”
– Courtney Bennet, 2018 Attendee
Funding
The project was funded by a federal TAP grant, along with 20% in matching funds from the Montevallo Development Cooperative District.
Several private property improvements and public art have followed the streetscape.
Funding
The project was funded by a federal TAP grant, along with 20% in matching funds from the Montevallo Development Cooperative District.
Several private property improvements and public art have followed the streetscape.
Improve green spaces and public areas
Consider impact on the local community
Bring in new business and jobs
Improve green spaces and public areas
Consider impact on the local community
Bring in new business and jobs
This comprehensive streetscape renovation transformed Montevallo’s downtown by adding widened, ADA compliant sidewalks, moving utility lines underground, installing new historic-looking light poles with banner arms, and updating our 4 main intersections with new traffic arms and lights, walk signals, and cobblestone sidewalks that tie into the aesthetics of the University of Montevallo. In addition, we built two pocket parks downtown—Owl’s Cove Park, which replaced a parking lot with a beautiful park that is home to several live music events every year, and Bicentennial Park, home to our “Big Red” clock and bicentennial time capsule on a site which was previously a vacant lot. A number of private property improvements and public art have followed the streetscape.
This $5 million project was primarily funded through a federal TAP grant, with the 20% in matching funds coming from the Montevallo Development Cooperative District. Founded in 2012, the MDCD is comprised of 3 partners—the City of Montevallo, the University of Montevallo, and Shelby County—who jointly do projects that improve our community. The city’s financial contribution to the MDCD is 90% of a 1% sales tax increase.
Construction began in January 2017 and was completed in spring of 2018. We know that, since Montevallo became a Designated Main Street community in June 2016, we have had over $5.6 million in public investment downtown, which has inspired over $6.2 million in private investment by downtown business and property owners over this period of time. We have also had 23 net new or relocating businesses open downtown, with a net of 39 new jobs created.
Past attendees include:
– Mayor Sharon Anderson ‘99
– Herman Lehman ’04; City Clerk
– Amy Feger ‘06
– Mayor Ben McCrory ‘09
– Mayor Hollie Cost ‘15
– Courtney Bennett ’18; Main Street Montevallo Director
Workshop Success Stories
Brewton, AL Market Park
With $20,000 in local funding, the city of Brewton created Market Park, a popular green space featuring a mural that is the most photographed spot in town.
Brewton, AL Market Park
With $20,000 in local funding, the city of Brewton created Market Park, a popular green space featuring a mural that is the most photographed spot in town.
Brewton, AL Tech Startup
The opening of tech startup ProValus is projected to bring Brewton 300+ new jobs and over $1 million in city sales tax.
Brewton, AL Tech Startup
The opening of tech startup ProValus is projected to bring Brewton 300+ new jobs and over $1 million in city sales tax.
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Your Success Story
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Webinar Series
This webinar series aims to help small and rural communities harness their unique assets, foster economic growth, and enhance quality of life through asset-based design. Featuring experts on economic development, sustainable design, historic preservation, and more, each session provides practical strategies and insights. The series is a collaboration between Your Town Alabama and the Landmarks Foundation of Montgomery. Watch now for engaging conversations highlighting successful initiatives and offering guidance on similar projects in your community.