Senate Passes Measure To Rename Bridge For Stan Pate's Father

TUSCALOOSA, AL — A joint resolution passed the Alabama Senate on Tuesday that, if passed by the House of Representatives and signed into law, would see a bridge in Tuscaloosa County renamed to honor the father of longtime Tuscaloosa businessman and developer Stan Pate.

Click here to subscribe to our free daily newsletter and breaking news alerts.

Sponsored by State Sen. Gerald Allen, a Republican from Tuscaloosa, the resolution would rename the Interstate 20/59 bridge that spans McFarland Boulevard to the Luther Stancel Pate III Memorial Bridge.

This is the bridge where the infamous ALDOT arches were constructed and can be seen from the former McFarland Mall property, which is owned by Pate.

“Mr. Pate was a much-loved family man and devoted father whose life was cut short in a tragic way," Allen told Patch. "He lived for his children, was an active member of his church, and represented the values of hard work and integrity – things that are part of the fabric of American society.”

Pate, a native of Buhl, was killed in a vehicle accident at Rice Mine Road and McFarland Boulevard on June 14, 1968.

Before going on to become one of the most successful developers in the state of Alabama, Pate and his sisters were placed in foster care following the death of their father and were eventually taken in by family and raised in Northport.

"Mr. Pate was a member of Cornelius Chapel Baptist Church in Buhl; he believed in the qualities of good character and integrity and his word and handshake were as good as gold," the resolution reads, before going on to praise his passion for farming.

The measure will now move over to the Alabama House of Representatives, which is set to convene at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Tuscaloosa Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch? Email all inquiries to me at ryan.phillips@patch.com