Public invited to attend meetings on Mill Creek redevelopment project
Published on October 12, 2023
The City of Huntsville and the Huntsville Housing Authority are moving forward with plans to redevelop property along Governors Drive, and officials would like to hear from the public.
Three upcoming meetings are planned to discuss the Choice Neighborhood Initiative (CNI), a project led by the Housing Authority and City’s Urban Development Office. Dates, times and locations are:
- Resident drop-in open house: Wednesday, Oct. 18, 6-7:30 p.m. – HHA Resident Services Building, 212 Seminole Drive SW
- Johnson Tower resident meeting: Thursday, Oct. 19, 4-5:30 p.m. – Johnson Tower resident space, 216 Seminole Drive SW
- Neighborhood and resident meeting: Thursday, Oct. 19, 6 p.m. – Boys & Girls Club, 125 Earl St.
At the meetings, stakeholders will have an opportunity to see in-progress ideas for the redevelopment of Butler Terrace and Johnson Towers, now referred to as the Mill Creek project. There will also be opportunities to provide input on development plans and hear short presentations.
Representatives from the City’s Planning and Community Development departments will be at each meeting, as will representatives from Urban Strategies Inc., a St. Louis-based nonprofit with a history of working with governments and housing authorities to redevelop public housing.
“When complete, CNI will provide affordable housing to a broad spectrum of residents, from professionals to seniors,” said Community Development Manager Scott Erwin. “The end result will be the transformation of the surrounding neighborhood and positive outcomes for families.”
The Housing Authority and City are preparing to submit a Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant later this year that could provide up to $50 million in federal funding for the project. Those funds would be used for neighborhood infrastructure, housing, employment opportunities, health and education and private investment.
Specifically, the Mill Creek transformation plan proposes 750 residential units – a mix of market rate, Housing Authority, workforce and senior housing. It also includes pedestrian-oriented shopping focused on the Governors Drive and Clinton Avenue corridors.
The plan also calls for updates to infrastructure, including utilities and a new street plan. Additions of green space, neighborhood parks and the restoration of the creek as a neighborhood amenity are also prescribed.
“We’re excited to replace aging structures with modern, energy-efficient units that meet the needs of a broad spectrum of residents,” said Huntsville Housing Authority Executive Director and CEO Antonio McGinnis. “This project will significantly improve residents’ outcomes as well as provide more quality-of-life amenities through private investment.”