Problematic medians on U.S. 411 to receive concrete as ongoing beautification continues

The ongoing cleanup and landscaping work along U.S. Highway 411 has drawn praise from Gadsden residents, and a few problematic medians are going to receive a touch-up.

Some of the medians along that busy thoroughfare have been landscaped, but the Gadsden City Council on May 14 approved an agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation to place concrete in areas where that's not feasible.

They'll be the small, narrow medians, according to Heath Williamson, the city's Director of Engineering. A map provided by his department identified seven medians, which stretch from where Albert Rains Boulevard intersects with Meighan Boulevard to Chili's on Rainbow Drive.

Williamson said those medians really aren't conducive to any type of grass planting or landscaping, and would be difficult to mow. Using weed trimmers also would be problematic, as far as getting even cuts and city workers potentially having to spend excessive time on that job.

“This is a good, long-term fix,” he said. “I think it will help it look better and certainly be easier to maintain.”

City officials said last week that they have prioritized clearing brush from the commercial areas of U.S. Highway 411 to improve the view and access, as part of a general initiative to spruce up the city's thoroughfares, and are now turning to the medians and rights-of-way, clearing overgrowth and replacing mulch with sod.

Mayor Craig Ford told the council that potential investors and developers who've visited the city have inquired about its vision for landscaping medians.

“It's something that doesn't cost a lot of money, but actually brings in a lot of value,” he said.

Trees also have been canopied, seasonal flowers planted and off-kilter globes on street lights have been reset, with the goal of improving the look and feel of traveling through one of Gadsden's busiest corridors.

“Little things like that make a difference when we're bringing in people from out of town to talk about industrial development or a coffee shop that brings in revenue,” Ford said. “It makes the city look better.”

Ford's top long-term priority is rerouting a portion of U.S. Highway 411 to create a business, entertainment and retail pedestrian greenspace along the Coosa River.

The council also approved the purchase of a plot of land on Riverbend Drive near Twin Bridges Golf Club for $9,000,

Members had authorized Ford to attend a recent auction to bid on land tracts. The mayor said multiple properties were prohibitively priced, but that this one would be “worth $100,000” to the city. Potential uses could include extending the course's maintenance shack or creating an employee parking lot.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Gadsden continues work to improve medians on U.S. Highway 411