By 
January 2, 2025
City Council District 4 saw a little bit of everything in 2024. From multiple construction projects and a large-scale music festival in John Hunt Park to a giant mixed-use development downtown and a groundbreaking for a much-needed grocery store, the city-center district experienced tangible signs of Huntsville’s growth.
D4 also endured hardship when an EF-2 tornado struck the history Blossomwood community just east of downtown on May 8. Fortunately, there were no injuries but several large trees were uprooted and some homes were damaged.
The Mill Creek project, a planned development featuring affordable housing, healthcare enhancements and retail opportunities, continued to move forward as well.
Council Member Bill Kling speaks at the news conference announcing the $50 million Choice Neighborhood Initiative grant for the Mill Creek project.
“It’s been an eventful year,” District 4 Council Member Bill Kling said. “I think residents will enjoy and benefit from a lot of the projects in the years to come. It’s important to continue expanding infrastructure to accommodate the City’s growing population. The community’s response following the tornado was also inspiring and demonstrated the best of Huntsville.”
Here are some 2024 highlights in D4:
- The groundbreaking for Mill Creek is expected in 2025 after the City and Huntsville Housing Authority received a $50 million Choice Neighborhood Implementation grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to help revitalize and transform the area surrounding Butler Terrace and Johnson Towers.
- In John Hunt Park, the City opened the Raymond W. Jones Community Center and the Loretta P. Spencer Sports Complex. Groundbreakings were held for the Tennis Center expansion that will include building 10 hard courts with lighting and converting six hard courts to clay courts and a recreation center featuring 25 lighted exterior pickleball courts.
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Council Member Bill Kling, in white shirt, participated in the ribbon cutting for the Loretta P. Spencer Sports Complex at John Hunt Park.
The South Star Music Festival attracted music enthusiasts from across the country to see headliner Gwen Stefani and a talented lineup of acts, enhancing Huntsville’s reputation as a music destination. Unfortunately, the second day of the festival was rained out by the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
- Food City broke ground on a new grocery store on the west end of Governors Drive that will help eliminate a food desert in the area. It’s part of Food City’s plan to open six stores in Huntsville.
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Council Member Bill Kling (left) joined Mayor Tommy Battle and Food City executives for a groundbreaking ceremony on the new grocery store on Governors Drive.
Developers broke ground on the Front Row project on Clinton Avenue that will feature residential, office space and retail offerings as well as a public urban green space. Work also began on Stadium Commons, a mixed-use development between Memorial Parkway and Joe Davis Stadium that will include retail, restaurants, apartments and a hotel.
- The City also reached an agreement with the City Centre developer that will result in a new downtown hotel, more restaurant space and a 430-space parking garage.
- Council Member Kling also continued his engagement with constituents, holding monthly town hall meetings at the downtown branch of the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library. He also walked every neighborhood in the district, giving him a first-hand perspective to address issues such as street repairs, cable TV wires on the ground and clogged inlets or sewers.
