Tuskegee State of the City Details Big Plans for the Future
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Tuskegee’s State of the City Address laid out major plans for the 2016 year. Mayor Johnny Ford is hoping to make his city a major stop for Interstate travelers, just like neighboring larger cities Auburn and Montgomery.
“You go downtown Montgomery, Alabama at nighttime, it’s alive,” Ford said. “People shopping and walking and eating, that’s the same kinda light we want to bring back.”
Ford hopes that adding restaurants and other hot spots to the I-85 exits on either side of the city will bring new life to the historic area.
“Both of those exits are front doors to Tuskegee. Thirty-two is the first one coming from Montgomery, and of course 38 is the first one coming from Auburn,” Ford explained.
Ala Whitehead, councilwoman of the largest district in Tuskegee, is hoping the new developments will attract younger people to the city.
“The kids will be going out, we’re going to put other things, to entice the young people, the students on campus to come there. You know, we know what they like. We just gotta get it,” Whitehead said.
Another huge endeavor is helping to reopen Victoryland. At one point, the casino generated millions in revenue for the city of Tuskegee.
“Over 2,000 jobs for people who have lost their jobs, and in the meantime lost their houses and the ability to provide for their family,” added Luther Curry, Racing Commission Chairman.
The city also has plans to open a new hospital and clinic. Mayor Ford hopes construction on the clinic will start in the coming months, and wants to have both the hospital and clinic finished by 2017.
“What we’re talking about is a small 20 to 25 bed hospital. One that can save lives, one that can allow our children to be born once again, here at home in Macon County,” Ford said.
Mayor Ford also spoke on the expanding Head Start Program and applying for several grants to repave poor roads across the city.
