The long-awaited groundbreaking for the $125 million Midtown Village in Tuscaloosa took place Thursday, July 25^th, as football legends Roger Staubach, Chairman and CEO of The Staubach Company and Lee Roy Jordan led the way.  Soon to be one of Alabama's premier mixed-use retail destinations, Midtown Village is a retail and residential development on 35 acres of land at the intersection of McFarland Boulevard and 15^th Street.

Cypress Equities, the development affiliate of Staubach Retail, and development partner Lee Roy Jordan, are managing the development of Midtown Village, including project construction and leasing.  The new Midtown Village will be home to 224 condominiums, 350,000 square-feet of retail space, and 35,000 square-feet of office space.  Midtown Village Condominiums is slated for completion in the Summer of 2007, with the retail center opening Fall, 2007.

Roger Staubach, Chairman and CEO of The Staubach Company, is welcomed to Tuscaloosa by Chamber President Johnnie Aycock.

Cypress Equities' plans for the site include an upscale, mixed-use development of specialty retail, restaurants, entertainment, office and residential.  As a mixed-use development, Midtown will offer a pedestrian-friendly "main street" designed shopping experience and a vibrant destination for nighttime dining and entertainment.  A casual walking environment with seating and gathering places will welcome shoppers and restaurant patrons, and provide the residential units with a living environment like no other in Tuscaloosa and West Alabama.

The residential portion of the project is being developed in partnership with Dallas-based Columbus Realty Partners, led by Tuscaloosa native, Robert Shaw.  "I was born and raised in Tuscaloosa so this development is a real homecoming for me," stated Shaw.  "It is a real thrill personally for me to be a part of a project that is going to become a destination center in my home town."

Johnnie Aycock visits with Scott Harrington and Ellen Grisette of Cypress Equities' Southeast Region office in Atlanta.  The Chamber has been an active supporter of Cypress Equities retail development efforts for Midtown Village.

Lee Roy Jordan is a development partner of Cypress Equities and will be an active participant in the Midtown project.  A former middle linebacker for the University of Alabama and the Dallas Cowboys, he is President and CEO of Dallas-based Lee Roy Jordan Redwood Lumber Company.

Chad Atwood of Cypress Equities is handling the retail leasinging, in conjunction with Retail Specialists, Inc. out of Birmingham.  Chad Atwood can be contacted at 404.231.1174.  The Alice Maxwell Group of Tuscaloosa is handling the condominium sales and can be reached at 345.0116.

Through an executive order, Mayor Walt Maddox has initiated a new public-private partnership between the City of Tuscaloosa and The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama for coordination of an anti-litter campaign.  "This partnership can foster a cleaner, safer community via proactive educational, legal and public policy programs," emphasized Mayor Maddox.

For the past few months, The Chamber has been engaged in efforts to raise awareness of litter and environmental issues through the Environmental Task Force, led by Mark Warner, and specifically through active business involvement.  One specific example is the grassroots effort being led by  Nancy Patrie, who chairs the Litter Subcommittee for The Chamber's Environmental Task Force, and Duckworth-Morris-Garrison Real Estate to clean up Skyland Boulevard. 

"When you look around our City, we have too many streets, green spaces and rights-of-way covered in litter," said Mayor Maddox.  "The people who trash our community hurt our property values, damage our economic recruitment efforts, and cost our taxpayers thousands of dollars in resources that have to be diverted from vital City services to pick-up litter.  We must do better, and that is why I am so excited about our partnership with The Chamber."

Chamber President Johnnie Aycock expressed enthusiasm for the partnership effort. "Our leadership is very pleased to join with Mayor Maddox and the City of Tuscaloosa to foster a cleaner, safer and more attractive community.  From a business perspective, it is essential that the public and private sectors work together to enhance our area's livability and physical image."

Shane Daugherty, Director of Environmental Services for the City of Tuscaloosa, has been selected to lead this new initiative by Mayor Maddox.  Along with key department heads for the City and The Chamber's Environmental Task Force, the Mayor's executive order requires recommendations no later than January 31, 2007.  Chamber members interested in getting involved should contact The Chamber at 758.7588, and businesses wanting information about how to participate in the adoption of key city transportation corridors should contact Nancy Patrie at Duckworth-Morris-Garrison Realty at 345.1810.

Scheduled to participate in the annual breakfast are Probate Judge Hardy McCollum, Chairman of the Tuscaloosa County Commission; Mayor Walt Maddox of the City of Tuscaloosa; and Mayor Harvey Fretwell of the City of Northport.

Spearheaded by The Chamber's Environmental Task Force and the College of Engineering at The University of Alabama, the second annual EMAP - Engineering Math Advancement Program - was recently completed successfully and involved 33 incoming pre-freshmen students from Alabama, Texas, Florida, Michigan, and as far away as Japan.

Funded by a five-year National Science Foundation grant, EMAP is designed to help enhance math skills of incoming students at The University of Alabama's College of Engineering, and at the same time, create practical, real-world awareness of the role of engineers in society. 

Dr. Karen Boykin of the College of Engineering and coordinator of EMAP, pointed out that "a major goal of the program is to help retain students as they meet the challenges of calculus, sciences and other math-based subjects.  EMAP's objectives are to improve student performance, increase student motivation, and enhance the learning experience by working on real-life projects."

The EMAP initiative involved the students in a five-week curriculum that included class and lab work in calculus and other core math and science instruction; on-site visits to area industries and facilities where engineering is used daily; and a team real-world project.  This year's project was to design and determine basic engineering and feasibility of building a water park at Lake Nichol in Tuscaloosa County. 

At the end of the five-week program, student teams presented their findings and reports to a panel of judges that included Mark Warner, Chairman of The Chamber's Environmental Task Force, Mayor Walt Maddox, and Chamber President Johnnie Aycock.  This year's winning presentations were: the Chemical Engineering Team for their bungee jump design ; the Aerospace Team for their Nuclear Nucor Rollercoaster; the Mechanical Team for their 'mini Mercedes Race Track'; the Computer Science Team for their 'water park virtual tour"; and the Industrial Team for their site feasibility evaluation.

Among the area businesses and industries involved during EMAP were Alabama Power, Almon & Associates, Southern Research Institute, CFM Group, Barton & Associates, Moss Enterprises, US Pipe, BE&K, TRC International, Nucor Steel and others.

 

For information or to view the students' power point presentations, click here.

As The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama passes the mid-point of 2006, a recent review by the leadership team indicates the organization is making excellent progress meeting the adopted goals and strategies of the 2006 business plan, according to 2006 Chamber Chairman, Gene Poole of Hudson Poole Jewelers.   A copy of the business plan is online at www.tuscaloosachamber.com .

Progress is being achieved in all five division of The Chamber, which include : Organizational Development, led by Kimberle Barton of CTX Mortgage - Business Development, led by Dan Carmichael of AmSouth Bank - Community Development, headed by Lin Moore of Pritchett-Moore - Education & Workforce Development, guided by Carolyn Dahl of the College of Continuing Studies at the University of Alabama - and Governmental Affairs, led by Robert Witt of The University of Alabama.

 

To date, The Chamber has shown membership growth, with over 100 new members and a current retention rate of almost 90%.  Thanks to the efforts of almost 70 volunteers, The Chamber's "membership appreciation telethon" resulted in over 1,000 personal contacts and expanded the email system to over 1,600 member contacts.  Continued recruitment, building member relations, and improving communications are all priorities for the remainder of 2006. 

Progress and results are being achieved in a variety of Chamber programs and initiatives that include:  Women In Business Council, Entrepreneurs of the Year, Northport Advisory Council, the Tuscaloosa County Civic Hall of Fame, Leadership Tuscaloosa, Adopt-A-School, and continuing education programs through the Technology  & Small Business Development Council.  To date, 10 small business and technology workshops have been held, with approximately 460 participants.

The Chamber continues to lead in a variety of important economic development and business advocacy roles.  Among these are: implementation of the "sales tax holiday" and a renewed "Shop Smart, Shop Tuscaloosa County" campaign; active support for business license reform through the state legislature; downtown and riverfront development initiatives; retail recruitment and expansion of the area's competitiveness; leadership in the relocation of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers facilities; active involvement in a broad range of environmental issues; cultural development; workforce development; and transportation issues.

"We're a strong, effective Chamber," said Chamber President Johnnie Aycock, "because we have active, dedicated leadership, enthusiastic and involved volunteers, and an aggressive plan of action that addresses key issues and concerns on behalf of the business community.  Even with our progress, there are many new opportunities for impact and new horizons of possibilities to be addressed."

"Investment in The Chamber yields a positive return," emphasized Aycock. "By getting involved, the business community is strengthened; and together, we build a healthier and more vibrant economy, sustain a positive environment for business, and enhance the livability of our area."

Adopt-A-School Director Loo Whitfield thanks the program's lead corporate sponsor, Mike Case, CEO of Gulf States Paper Corporation.

Celebrating twenty-one years of supporting area schools, the annual Adopt-A-School Breakfast Seminar officially kicked off the 2006-2007 Adopt-A-School Year on Wednesday, August 2nd.  The seminar provided a unique opportunity for Tuscaloosa City School personnel, Tuscaloosa County School personnel and the representatives from the business community to meet and prepare for the upcoming school year.  Approximately 300 individuals representing forty-eight area schools and 77 businesses and community organizations gathered at University Church of Christ for the annual event.   

  

Dr. Malcolm Portera, Chancellor for The University of Alabama System gave the keynote address during the opening session.  The theme, "Community Connections: Making a Difference", was presented throughout the seminar and workshops.  Compass Bank/Central Primary School; Wachovia Bank/Tuscaloosa County High School; Jim Walter Resources/Brookwood High School and Randall-Reilly/Central High School celebrated twenty years of partnership.  Additionally, the Junior League of Tuscaloosa and Stillman College were recognized for participating as adopters since 1986.  Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc./Martin Luther King, Jr. and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. were recognized for ten years of participation in the Adopt-A-School Program. 

 

Adopt-A-School Director Loo Whitfield and Assistant Director Carolyn Tubbs meet with our partners,Dr. Joyce Levey, Superintendent of Tuscaloosa City Schools and Dr. Frank Constanzo, Superintendent of the Tuscaloosa County Schools.

Following the opening session, school coordinators and business coordinators attended a variety of workshops and met to develop plans and strategies for the 2006-2007 school year.  "The support and impact of the Adopt-A-School are evidenced by the participation of this kickoff event.  The presence of business and community leaders is indicative of the support that our community continues to provide to public education through Adopt-A-School." said Loo Whitfield, Adopt-A-School Director.