Normandale Residents on Mayoral Expectations

by WAKA Action 8 News

Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange opened a second campaign office in the Normandale Shopping Center in West Montgomery. He says he wants to reach out to the people in that area.

Supporters gathered at the new headquarters today around 5. Strange met with potential voters to outline his vision for the city of Montgomery. He brought in local vendors, Cupcakes by Tish and That’s My Dog to cater the event.

“We particularly wanted to be in this area,” he said. “Normandale is a perfect spot because the owner of Normandale is making an effort to bring this back. They spent a lot of money rehabbing that and we just wanted to be a part of that.”

And Todd Strange isn’t the only Montgomery mayoral candidate hoping to get votes from those in the Normandale community.

Reporter Ashley Thompson asked residents in that area what they want to see done to their part of town. 

The Normandale Shopping Center has been around since 1954. It was once THE place to shop in the city of Montgomery but fell on hard times after the city started expanding. Much like the shopping center, the surrounding area has also changed, with many retailers and restaurants going out of business.

“Everything is closed up,” said resident Natasha Jones. “It just looks like empty spaces.”

Residents who live in the Normandale area tell us what they hope the next mayor of Montgomery will do to bring new life to the community. 

“I would like to see more shopping centers like it used to be back in the day,” Jones said. 

While some would like more shopping options, others want better roads. 

“To me, I’d rather see better roads and I’d rather see more stores around here that we can shop at,” said Jacqueline Jones.

“The roads are bad over here,” said Tenisha Smith. “There’s a lot of pot holes.”

Resident Michael Bradford says there needs to be more activities for young people in the area.

“Something like a center they can go to and you know, like when I was coming up. There was a boys club that I went to all the time. So there needs to be something like that to give them something more than what they’re doing right now.”

Mayor Todd Strange is running for re-election..and just opened a second campaign office in the Normandale Shopping Center. Residents say it’s a smart move. 

“This is a low income area so it would be best if they come here first and see what the people have to say,” said Smith.

“I think it’s a good idea for the mayor to do that,” Bradford said. “That’s what he has to do to get him votes, I guess there’s nothing wrong with that.”

We reported back in May that the Normandale Shopping Center is under new management, and they are working hard to bring businesses back. 

Six candidates are running for mayor. 

Besides todd strange, the other candidates include former Congressman Artur Davis, Montgomery County Commissioner Dan Harris, state Board of Education member Ella Bell, and community activists Buena Browder and Jon Da’voe.

City elections will take place on August 25th.