Trussville Springs: Difference between revisions
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==Current Progress== | ==Current Progress== | ||
== Planned Entrance == | |||
Planning for the primary entrance originally envisioned, referred to by residents as the "permanent entrance" has taken approximately 8 years and hundreds of thousands of dollars in engineering fees. Plans were originally submitted to [[ALDOT]] for approval in [[2007]]. In addition to approval from [[ALDOT]], the plans also required coordination with [[Trussville Utilities]] and [[Norfolk Southern Railroad]]. On [[December 6]], [[2013]], ALDOT delivered a permit to construct turn lanes for a permanent entrance to Trussville Springs. Due to conflicting opinions on design, and a mishap involving required preconstruction signage on HWY 11, construction was never initiated with exception to some relocation of soil. In, [[2015]] new plans were developed in response to growing demand by residents for the planned permanent entrance. As of November 2015 Stalnaker told [[ABC 33/40]] that approval from Norfolk-Southern is still pending. | |||
== Growth == | |||
Approximately 45 cottage homes, 9 river homes, 15 townhome units, a community swimming pool, fishing pond, trail, and tornado shelter have been completed. | |||
Only 1 lot for cottage homes remain in Phase I of construction. Homes are most frequently being built by [[Harris Doyle Homes]]. However, interested parties have the ability to purchase a lot, and select a builder that is capable of meeting design requirements. Details of plans and timelines on commercial space and a second phase of home construction are under development. As of [[May 21]], [[2016]], only two completed new homes are listed active without a contract, including the model home. Only one resale home is listed active. | |||
[[File:Trussvillespringsabove.jpg|center|thumb|800px|Trussville Springs as of February 2014]] | [[File:Trussvillespringsabove.jpg|center|thumb|800px|Trussville Springs as of February 2014]] | ||
Revision as of 07:24, 21 May 2016
Trussville Springs is a New Urbanist community being constructed on 160 acres adjacent to the Cahaba River just off Highway 11, to the north east of downtown Trussville near Trussville Civitan Park. It is being developed by Trussville Springs LLC with a master plan from Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company of Miami, Florida inspired by the depression-era Cahaba Homestead Village. The completed project will contain 568 homes to be built over the course of five phases.
History
Hearthstone Properties partners Barry Stalnaker and Bill Lewis purchased the site, which included an abandoned sandstone quarry and the former sites of Continental Electric and Birmingham Tank, in 2002.
Originally called Mainstreet Trussville, the project's master plan design charrette took place during the week of June 21-24, 2005, at the Continental Electric Building at 6655 Gadsden Highway. During the week, citizens of Trussville were encouraged to participate in the process of creating the initial plans for the development. Andrés Duany was present for the entire duration of the charrette, and by the end of the week an initial plan, which envisioned the proposed development as an extension of Trussville's existing downtown, was created.
The Cahaba River Society was invited to participate in planning and design in order to insure that the Cahaba River, previously widened, was restored and protected as much as possible in the development of the site. Among their recommendations were to remove existing berms and to introduce new rock formations to restore riparian habitats damaged by earlier flood-mitigation works. An expansive green space is to be left undeveloped along the river's natural flood plain, with trails which will connect to Trussville's existing network of walking paths. Large areas choked by invasive privet were also cleared.
After the charrette was complete, the project was formally announced as Trussville Springs on Tuesday, June 27, 2005, marketed as akin to the Mt Laurel development in Shelby County. The project was then presented as a 586-home community to the Trussville Planning and Zoning Board on November 10, 2005. The mixed-use community is to feature retail and restaurant space in addition to townhouses, elevated cottages near the river, five-story condominium buildings and single-family homes.
On June 20, 2006, the Planning and Zoning Board approved the first phase of the project, consisting of 42 town houses, 50 condominium units, 18 cottage homes and 19 river-front homes. By August, site clearance began with the demolition of about 100,000 square feet of warehouse space and the former Continental Electric plant. Only a "handful" of homes were completed before progress was drastically slowed by the 2008 recession. Since that time, construction has gradually progressed with growth in the housing market.
Current Progress
Planned Entrance
Planning for the primary entrance originally envisioned, referred to by residents as the "permanent entrance" has taken approximately 8 years and hundreds of thousands of dollars in engineering fees. Plans were originally submitted to ALDOT for approval in 2007. In addition to approval from ALDOT, the plans also required coordination with Trussville Utilities and Norfolk Southern Railroad. On December 6, 2013, ALDOT delivered a permit to construct turn lanes for a permanent entrance to Trussville Springs. Due to conflicting opinions on design, and a mishap involving required preconstruction signage on HWY 11, construction was never initiated with exception to some relocation of soil. In, 2015 new plans were developed in response to growing demand by residents for the planned permanent entrance. As of November 2015 Stalnaker told ABC 33/40 that approval from Norfolk-Southern is still pending.
Growth
Approximately 45 cottage homes, 9 river homes, 15 townhome units, a community swimming pool, fishing pond, trail, and tornado shelter have been completed. Only 1 lot for cottage homes remain in Phase I of construction. Homes are most frequently being built by Harris Doyle Homes. However, interested parties have the ability to purchase a lot, and select a builder that is capable of meeting design requirements. Details of plans and timelines on commercial space and a second phase of home construction are under development. As of May 21, 2016, only two completed new homes are listed active without a contract, including the model home. Only one resale home is listed active.
Community Events
The Cahaba River Society held the Cahaba River Fry-Down at Trussville Springs in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
Trussville City Schools Foundation held the Cahaba River Crawfish and Shrimp Boil in 2013, 2014, and 2015.
References
- Debro, Anita (June 21, 2006) "Developer gets go-ahead on first phase of community plan." The Birmingham News
- Debro, Anita (November 16, 2005) "Trussville officials see plans for Cahaba mixed-use area." The Birmingham News
- Debro, Anita (June 28, 2005) "Seaside designers plan Trussville community." The Birmingham News
- Wilkinson, Kaija (June 24, 2005) "Developers plan a quaint community along Cahaba River" Birmingham Business Journal
- Spencer, Thomas (September 13, 2010) "Cahaba River Society praises Trussville subdivision on river's banks." The Birmingham News
- Trussville Springs (January, 2014) "Happy New Year!" The Riverwalk Times [1]
- Alabama Department of Transportation (August, 2015) "Five Year Plan"
- City of Trussville Planning and Zoning Board (January 14, 2013) "Minutes"
- Design Initiative LLC [2]
- Yuill, Melanie (Nov 8, 2015) "Trussville residents say their neighborhood entrance is unsafe." ABC 33/40 News.
External Links
- Trussville Springs official website
- Harris Doyle builder