[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6316719,"mediaKeyId","2375890-576915384f94094dcf271ce85ac7eb5f","parentId",2375890,"title","Mayor Craig Ford reports economic outreach, ribbon-cuttings and new 'Welcome to Gadsden' signs","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",531080,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2375890-576915384f94094dcf271ce85ac7eb5f&start=531&end=531","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2375890-576915384f94094dcf271ce85ac7eb5f/thumbnail_531080.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6316719/Gadsden-City/Etowah-County/Alabama/Mayor-Craig-Ford-reports-economic-outreach-ribbon-cuttings-and-new-Welcome-to-Gadsden-signs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6316719-9b8851ff38cc4836e0df91ec7ed38ff5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775169248&Signature=GDfbKH1CTXLtAXVAumKQTCPA4pBUjc5Z1WjUGTWgAyDk~dl~zTYDjQLd-oRVZCEEk~9HLYgFI4B361pXcM9Rs58OdpTzDOUY8Eh5nHXNzQFZtr~tkq2VHONe2YHXsUw49dkZCTZ98yELV0kvRIGxxEw5zUwLPTYsBxJwkQ4UhxQQSG6-B5jlIvoOhVQyOvdIGbvBgFbATurPvL8xF0a7teo995cTr1088dRxBMJKrOJqrg58vdKRGZyBo8yt0A1hLJdvW~hlqZUnWVSIVnD2Z3-qHj8ZWZhERziiZDKEcYXxGAK7FFsMxZS4lR4BIGP7-Pia326mdwsJezh1M5FUjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Gadsden City, AL","date","2025-02-22T01:00:55Z","article","Mayor Craig Ford said he participated in advocacy meetings in Montgomery with state and higher-education officials and has been pursuing economic development opportunities, some under non-disclosure agreements.

\"We visited with finance director Bill Poole, DECA chairman, Boswell. We had talked to, the chancellor of the 2 year school, Jimmy Baker,\" Ford said, describing outreach in Montgomery and meetings with state and education officials. He said the city has \"signed off numerous NDAs\" and is pursuing expansions at airport sites, former steel plant properties and other industrial sites.

Ford also announced plans for four new \"Welcome to Gadsden\" signs — two on U.S. 411 and two on U.S. 431 — designed by an architect, to be lit and set off the rights-of-way; he said the city is purchasing small parcels where necessary. He promoted two upcoming ribbon-cutting events, including one at the Nokalula Fire Station, and said details will be posted on city channels.

Ford said bringing jobs to Gadsden is a priority and that recruitment and site packaging take time: \"We've signed off, numerous NDAs. Those are non disclosures, which I can't talk about. But I can tell you we got a lot of things on the horizon.\"","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","The Mayor's Minute for Feb. 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Ford said he attended advocacy meetings in Montgomery, has active confidential negotiations under NDA for potential employers, and announced plans for four new illuminated 'Welcome to Gadsden' signs and upcoming ribbon-cuttings including Nokalula Fire Station.","taxTitle","Gadsden City, Etowah County, Alabama","taxId",53910,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6316724,"Gadsden buys 20 acres for campground expansion; mayor says new glamping and primitive camping planned",161,474670,636455,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2375890-576915384f94094dcf271ce85ac7eb5f&start=474&end=636","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2375890-576915384f94094dcf271ce85ac7eb5f/thumbnail_474670.jpg","/articles/6316724/Gadsden-City/Etowah-County/Alabama/Gadsden-buys-20-acres-for-campground-expansion-mayor-says-new-glamping-and-primitive-camping-planned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6316724-553e6785cc9fe1bc5b9a088c7739aa94/orig.mp4?Expires=1775169248&Signature=dOlBPc7Z7ZT-8Cdx3qb5ZEiVPIvViwTO39rrqMFUUDaQJibtI0seDW674DBdmhg9Cz1B8lP8PT8u7ZWG1q0nL7BdiGRqTKAR9UlHYKdg9vO~aDihvQc3yQTJrrh1ZfdPdL9tSSZY05CELi1RXel9DFXx8Qr~03uhusx-REZxzk9DciCpuLv4Pxef1zUOmkujdPO5b9s2h18c9RD0k1-PSnun8aYqqNFNf-jpBT-T2quFc0fmz07Ru9k61GAfsGS2AP9Ta0LoLzHqyjAT1hT-kVbDRL1LRXa7Kdl-XDsAOsFiGcc4RKx5On3wVoioQVI8XDr7zlMNhRM9tuYMtSU3yg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Craig Ford said Gadsden purchased 20 additional acres, with city-council approval, for an expansion of a campground project that will include glamping and primitive camping.

\"We purchased 20 additional acres, with the council's approval connected to the falls,\" Ford said. He described plans for \"glamping, not familiar what that is... it's something to be really nice in a tent,\" alongside primitive camping intended to remain affordable for local users.

Ford addressed questions about tree clearing at the site, saying engineers, landscape architects and the general contractor recommended clearing to create a stable construction footprint. He said the city will replant only hardwoods and compared the approach to work done at Guntersville State Park: \"They went in and had to just had to wipe out the whole thing, make a blank canvas, and then they came back with trees, and 2 years later, the trees were there.\"

Ford said the removal aimed to avoid falling pines becoming hazards to campers and that the area also includes a pool and other amenities the city plans to develop. He announced free admission and guided tours on an upcoming ribbon-cutting day for the park area and said golf carts will show visitors around the improvements.","Mayor Craig Ford said the city purchased 20 additional acres for an expanded campground project that will include 'glamping' sites and primitive camping; he defended tree clearing and said hardwoods will be replanted.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6316728,"Gadsden to expand in-house paving crew; North Sixth Street slated for first work, pavilion at Cherry Street Park to be replaced",201,261875,463455,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2375890-576915384f94094dcf271ce85ac7eb5f&start=261&end=463","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2375890-576915384f94094dcf271ce85ac7eb5f/thumbnail_261875.jpg","/articles/6316728/Gadsden-City/Etowah-County/Alabama/Gadsden-to-expand-in-house-paving-crew-North-Sixth-Street-slated-for-first-work-pavilion-at-Cherry-Street-Park-to-be-replaced","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6316728-295ade33e5b2af14f7d3065cd9d36278/orig.mp4?Expires=1775169248&Signature=FmnF--FXb~VoWs8Yx9R~~u013aCKbfJuZbZlPI5mL0kNwQXHncA067nRN4MrGB9PyBiRO0OgFca5jct1jBLmg2JlzppbbluRh1ZU1SdHnFWQoWGuxc1Q8d0Vpqy8eqXLRzSQBxohJSPBW8MLbTN9K2M8bU4BA24ghcdZ7ZPKWoXDMhRcjWPHOJ-BiVBLpXHkpcbsh09sOFO6XSN1DlT5Hb2WYJOszCnIabNMrycJ926hUGOK-iFSF1sIArsu0--CjOqEnTidDcAV6FVVSySfbZu~jtOOFXLjVyPi2t1CUWJ-r1C6eV5~bQAx5v7LUPNhhF8L8kOifUqj8H1sU5JqhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Craig Ford said Gadsden has developed an in-house paving crew to increase the pace of street resurfacing and that the city used a contractor-produced map of every street to prioritize work.

\"They gave it back to us in data, red, yellow, green. All the red streets are ones that are in dire need of paving,\" Ford said, describing the assessment tool the city used. He said the in-house team will allow the city \"to pave twice as many roads as we've been paving in the past.\"

Ford identified North Sixth Street, near Cherry Street Park, as the first road the city will pave. He noted the street carries school bus routes, postal service and emergency access and said it \"needs to be paved, and we're gonna pave it.\"

Separately, Ford said the current pavilion at Cherry Street Park—built during the Roosevelt era and now \"a structural hazard\"—will be taken down and replaced with a new pavilion. He said the existing structure \"has walls on it. It needs to come down\" and that a new pavilion will be built for public use.

Ford said the city will continue to contract for some paving while expanding in-house work, calling the combined approach \"a double bang for a buck.\"","Mayor Craig Ford said the city hired a paving crew and commissioned a citywide street condition map; North Sixth Street by Cherry Street Park is the first scheduled resurfacing, and the park pavilion will be demolished and replaced.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6316733,"Gadsden mayor launches 'Operation Spring Cleaning,' expands app-based reporting and enforcement",314,42524,356945,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2375890-576915384f94094dcf271ce85ac7eb5f&start=42&end=356","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2375890-576915384f94094dcf271ce85ac7eb5f/thumbnail_42524.jpg","/articles/6316733/Gadsden-City/Etowah-County/Alabama/Gadsden-mayor-launches-Operation-Spring-Cleaning-expands-app-based-reporting-and-enforcement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6316733-4bcfb99f2f1dbc403381f918bc4e60b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775169248&Signature=iJFKjhOefOCQnn4byODRWvh-IriTkqHJaSuzUZCq1Ba4MLC4TDVaCnNmfdU5-KtT97vYAonpdcM7Jwhahc0FpotqAHN4KdVGgeG1UfNzhk1tPOyEsyI1SnvAOEt~r-jReQK1YvXzn9vbarrdqGBFKY1D8Mw1TPrl04nGVFacbXFEAQuVRUzCnUbE9RZLEsCsder7Zagw6R889p7xkCXD4ojQoj2CaKd0keG7JFrPWTKPHTZKyDpVQL4OMcGTu4zCHnPqSHntyXBkV8r9sV1gvlpV9nu~o28FTg5n0fqmfo1tFL-zbl8Ye8SJxerVSk-hWqXIvRpzGWhbhYzNXvu29g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Craig Ford announced a citywide initiative he called \"Operation Spring Cleaning,\" asking residents to report litter and maintenance issues through the Hey Gadsden app as crews from multiple departments conduct concentrated cleanups.

Ford said the operation unites public works, streets, building, police and fire departments to focus resources on one neighborhood at a time. \"We got our public works department. We got our street department. We got our building department. We got our police department, fire department, and everybody together in a meeting,\" he said.

The mayor emphasized the Hey Gadsden app as the primary reporting tool, saying the app will \"geofence the issue that you're talking about\" and that the city will prioritize app reports over social media. \"We do recommend that you go to the Hey Gadsden app on your iPhone or your Android,\" Ford said.

Ford described enforcement measures for repeat littering, including camera monitoring and prosecution. \"We have put cameras up everywhere. We've caught a lot of people, breaking the law, and we have prosecuted them,\" he said, adding that the city has delivered warrants and summons and is \"making sure they pay.\" He added plainly: \"If you don't wanna pay, don't litter.\"

Ford pointed to recent cleanups in Walnut Park and Mill Village as examples of the effort and said crews are working on rights-of-way including I-759. He asked residents to help maintain improvements once they are made and to report persistent issues.

The mayor closed by urging residents to use the app and to avoid littering: \"This is your city. These are your parks. I work for you. Please don't litter.\"","Mayor Craig Ford said the city will deploy multiple departments to coordinated neighborhood cleanups, prioritize requests sent through the Hey Gadsden app, and use cameras and prosecutions to deter littering.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Mayor Craig Ford reports economic outreach, ribbon-cuttings and new 'Welcome to Gadsden' signs

Gadsden buys 20 acres for campground expansion; mayor says new glamping and primitive camping planned

Gadsden to expand in-house paving crew; North Sixth Street slated for first work, pavilion at Cherry Street Park to be replaced

Gadsden mayor launches 'Operation Spring Cleaning,' expands app-based reporting and enforcement