Mayor highlights cruise terminal growth, April hazardous‑waste event and $17M St. Louis Street project

Mayor Spiro in Cheragatus used the March 17 council meeting to report multiple city initiatives and community events.

He said that since Carnival Spirit returned to Mobile in October the city has welcomed more than 41,000 cruise passengers and parked over 10,000 vehicles at the Mobile Alabama Cruise Terminal, noting voyages have sailed “above 100% capacity” on average. The mayor thanked port and terminal staff and recognized Sheila Garganis, identified in the meeting as a director with responsibility for the terminal.

The mayor announced a household hazardous‑waste collection event on Saturday, April 11, at Seals Community Center for disposal of items sanitation crews do not collect — paint, pesticides, fluorescent tubes, fertilizers and household chemicals. He said the city’s environmental engineering department has collected more than 164 tons of hazardous materials at similar events since 2022 and encouraged residents to participate.

He described ongoing construction work on St. Louis Street, calling it a $17 million investment to deliver safer, more accessible sidewalks and roadways; he urged support for local businesses during construction. The mayor also offered a proclamation recognizing March as National Kidney Month, cited national statistics from the proclamation text ("over 35 million Americans" living with kidney disease; "over 90,000" waiting for transplant) and said the city counts "over 17,000" chronic kidney disease patients in Mobile County.

Outcome and context: These items were announcements and proclamations; no council action was required beyond acknowledgment. Several council members later referenced Bishop State’s athletics and local district events during the announcements section.