City gives status report on 6th Avenue streetscape, housing permits and right‑of‑way timelines
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Summary
City development staff reviewed the 6th Avenue reconstruction (sidewalks, mast arms, pedestrian lighting, landscaping medians) with an 18‑month timetable and projected finish in Feb–Mar next year; staff also reported about 150 new residential permits last year and explained why right-of-way acquisitions can take 18 months to two years.
City development staff delivered a broad update on Jan. 20 covering 6th Avenue streetscape work, housing activity and upcoming development projects. An unidentified development official outlined work on sidewalks, intersections, pedestrian lighting and median landscaping, and provided an 18‑month schedule with expected completion in February–March next year.
"6th Avenue is the foyer to our city," the development presenter said, describing east‑side sidewalk demolition and paver replacement, intersection improvements (including mast arms at Grant and Lee) and a central landscaped median to be installed at the end of the project. Staff said a compliance issue with ALDOT over sidewalk width was resolved and work resumed.
On housing, staff reported issuing about 150 new residential building permits last year and said similar or higher volumes are expected this year. The Southbrook development received infrastructure approvals for a first phase of 63 units with dirt‑work expected around March, and staff said additional multifamily projects on 2nd Avenue and Bank Street could start early to late spring.
Engineering staff (Carl Pruitt) highlighted two projects: a Wilson Morgan entrance project to close a median crossover and add a right-turn lane with access at Central Parkway and Sandlin Road (expected to go to bid around March), and a Deerfoot drainage project pending property closings before a late‑spring/early‑summer construction window to avoid the rainy season.
Council members asked why some projects take years between approval and construction. Pruitt explained the typical schedule: preliminary design to 60 percent may take about six months, then appraisals and offers for right-of-way can take several months or longer; if negotiation fails, condemnation and court processes add substantial time. He said projects using state or federal funds have additional steps that extend timelines.
Staff also noted continued work on building code adoption and the CityView software rollout to move permitting and cross‑department review online. Development staff said developers report pressure from high land and construction costs and higher interest rates, driving some larger single‑family product sizes and affecting project timing.
Next steps: staff will monitor contractor schedules on 6th Avenue, pursue anticipated bids for Wilson Morgan, and continue outreach to developers about housing timelines.