Montgomery's South Boulevard Waiting for Change

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By Tamika Bickham

Story Created: May 14, 2012 at 9:06 PM CDT

Story Updated: May 14, 2012 at 9:06 PM CDT

Montgomery's South Boulevard is an area that many think of as run down and crime-ridden, but people who work and live in that area want to see it come back to life.

James Shirley has been driving a truck from Georgia into Montgomery for the last two years.

"That's what brings me here to Montgomery and Coca-Cola hauls me back to Atlanta," said Shirley.

When he hits South Boulevard, he's greeted by boarded up buildings, overgrown grass, loitering, and an area known for prostitution. Montgomery Police say seven prostitution arrests have been made in this area since the start of the year.

"It's a run down place around here now. That old building across the street, that other one, and all that stuff, it just looks awful," said Shirley.

A major gateway into the city, the Alabama Department of Transportation estimates that on an average day, 38,000 cars travel between Mobile Highway and U.S. 231.

"It's a promising area because we have thousands and thousands that pass through this boulevard daily," said City Councilman, CC Calhoun.

Calhoun, who represents this area, says the city does offer tax breaks to developers who want to open up shop here, but much of the promise continues to disappear.

"People just come to the table and nothing ever comes into fruition," said Calhoun, "I think if we put a concentrated effort in this area, we could bring it back with some help from the developers to come in and make some promises and make some things happen in this area."

Shana Jirik manages and owns The Woods RV Park and Campground off South Boulevard. She says they've successfully run their business here for the last seven years, but she wants to see some improvement throughout the area.

"Anything new helps us because it brings people to this intersection. Unfortunately, this area of Montgomery, in the last few years, has gotten to be a little more run down and we get comments about it all the time from our customers," said Jirik.

CC Calhoun says a few years ago several hotels that weren't up to code were condemned and torn down, but rebuilding will depend upon developers bringing in new business.

It's not all bad news for the South Boulevard. A new Burger King store will be opening there soon.
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