Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Montgomery official touts possible Harlem Children’s Zone partnership, launches SEED Academy applications and previews fall downtown events
Summary
An unnamed Montgomery city official said the city hosted Harlem Children’s Zone founder Jeffrey Canada for talks about education and placemaking, announced applications for a new SEED Academy for emerging developers, and previewed fall events including an HBCU weekend and Riverbend Brewfest.
An unnamed Montgomery city official announced Tuesday that the city hosted Jeffrey Canada, founder of the Harlem Children’s Zone, for discussions about education and place making and said applications opened for a new SEED Academy to train local real-estate developers.
The official said the city is “part of the mayor’s neighborhood academy with the Harlem Children’s Zone,” and described a tour of schools, properties and neighborhoods as “promising.” “I am proud to announce the applications for the SEED Academy officially went live yesterday morning,” the official said, using the acronym for Supporting Empowered Emerging Developers. The official said the fall program will enroll up to 25 participants in a weeklong, hands-on curriculum delivered “in partnership with the national nonprofit Grama America.”
City leaders framed the education and development initiatives as part of a broader push to grow Montgomery’s economy and downtown activity. The official described housing as “the foundation,” saying improved housing stock supports redevelopment, creates jobs and helps families build wealth. The official also emphasized the role of schools in long-term community development and said the city is exploring whether a city-run education model might be appropriate if it produces better outcomes.
The official previewed several upcoming events intended to activate downtown and draw visitors. The city will host HBCU classic weekend on Oct. 4, coinciding with Alabama State University’s homecoming and featuring the Morehouse–Tuskegee Classic at Crampton Bowl. For part of Oct. 2–4 the official said a Ferris wheel and a “flying dustman” ride will operate noon–midnight as a test of riverfront activation. The official also promoted the 13th annual Riverbend Brewfest and Country Jamboree at Union Station’s Train Shed on Sept. 12, which the official said will feature “over 40 craft brews and ales,” food, live music, a mechanical bull and axe throwing.
On downtown development and private–public partnerships, the official said Main Street Alabama and the downtown business association are working with developers to fill vacant retail space and catalyze further investment. The official noted broader private investment in the region, saying the arrival of a company like Meta underscores the need to plan for future growth.
Other updates included a brief mention that the city previously discussed potential Space Force partnerships related to Maxwell Air Force Base and that an update on a permanent location for the Salvation Army had not been received; the official said a final decision was hoped for “in the next 90 days.” The official described recent tourism numbers as positive, saying events such as the Red Tails Classic drew “well over 16,000 people inside Crampton Bowl” over Labor Day weekend and that visitor spending generates millions in sales and lodging taxes.
The official framed these items as interconnected efforts to prepare Montgomery for economic growth by combining education initiatives, developer training, hospitality and event-driven tourism.
