By: Chiara Morrow and Contributor Julius White
Chiara.morrow@birminghamal.gov
With eastern area business re-development as the main topic and holistic growth opportunities always on her agenda, Councilor Lashunda Scales shared her district’s ‘big picture’ vision at the second installment of town hall meetings that took place on Monday, October 27, at Huffman High School. Councilor Scales believes in being transparent in her role as councilor to the citizens of District 1, and with that in mind she gave citizens an update on the previous topics that had been discussed, especially concerns that still needed to be addressed such as crime and dilapidated building structures.
“Residents want and need quality of life benefits to sustain communities,” Councilor Scales said. “We are bringing governmental, educational, corporate stakeholders and law enforcement officials together to provide us with practical framework solutions and to inform us how to secure creative funding opportunities to accomplish our goals. Major restaurant franchises, choice grocery stores along with industrial and retail establishments can manifest when we work jointly for the common good of our city.”
Councilor Scales maintains that eastern area development is vital to the City’s overall success due to it being the city’s most densely populated area; the large historical tax base; it is surrounded by three high traffic intrastate – Gadsden Highway 11; Intrastate 75; Parkway East; Highway 79 – Pinson Valley Parkway; and it is prime real estate for business growth opportunities.
While the town hall meeting proved to be a big success, Councilor Scales is already looking at additional avenues that she can create to continue to provide her constituents with updates for District 1.