Downtown Trussville Revitalization Will Center On Entertainment

TRUSSVILLE, AL - Downtown Trussville's face lift has been much anticipated and the city has rallied around it as the project continues to progress. But make no mistake, the revamping of the district is about more than just aesthetics. With the help of Coby Lake, who played a vital role in the revitalization of Avondale in Birmingham, the project will mirror, in many ways, the entertainment and dining theme of the Avondale district.

Lake recently sold Avondale Brewery and other properties in the Avondale neighborhood, and is purchasing 13 parcels in downtown Trussville with plans to open a 22,000-square-foot brewery. He is currently lobbying other businesses to come to downtown Trussville as well. Trussville Mayor Buddy Choat presented the plan two weeks ago to the Trussville Chamber of Commerce, and said the project is due for completion in one to two years.

The focus will definitely be on entertainment and walkability, which is another similarity with Avondale. The first phase will take place in the Morrow Avenue and Beech Street corridors.

"This is really what the community has been lacking," Choat said to the Chamber. "We have the big box shopping. We have restaurants. We have interstate access. We did not have a walkable downtown, shopping and entertainment area for our residents and guests who want to come from other parts of the Birmingham area."

Melt, Common House, Slag Heap Brewery and Edgar's Bakery are among the first businesses to commit to the new downtown. An entertainment pavilion and stage will be the "centerpiece" of the area, with retail space surrounding.

Images from TurnerBatson Architecture & Design