6 minute read
What’s happening in the growing North Jefferson County city of Gardendale
PHOTOS COURTESY OF DOTEDISON MARKETING
Located at Celebration Park, the splash pad is a great spot for kids to cool off from May 1 – September 30. It’s open Tuesday – Sunday, 10 a.m. till dusk.
Advertisement
Small City, Big Living
Gardendale’s community boom has people talking—and moving
BY STEPHANIE GIBSON LEPORE
The city of Gardendale may need to add an agenda item to its next city council meeting: Change the town motto. The current one— Gardendale. The best kept secret in Jefferson County—doesn’t really apply anymore.
“The secret has finally gotten out,” says Heather Lebischak, Executive Director of the Gardendale Chamber of Commerce. A mere 15 minutes from Birmingham and minus the traffic of the city limits, Gardendale is drawing new residents eager to raise families in a smalltown atmosphere with the benefits of a big city close by. There are a multitude of other reasons, too, says Heather. “New subdivisions continue to surface, and more are planned. The business community has taken notice, and during the last few years we have seen significant growth, especially in the medical arena. We have established Gardendale as the medical hub of north Jefferson County, playing off the largest industry in Birmingham, and the largest employer in the state, which is UAB.” The once-sleepy enclave began nearly 200 years ago, by veterans of the War of 1812. “They recognized the beautiful woodlands as a productive area,” says Heather. “And the first homesteader, Otis Dyer, settled here in 1825.” The town was first named “Jugtown,” because of a local jug and churn factory. The population doubled after coal mines opened in the area during the 1870s. In 1906, teacher Hettie Thomason Cargo, embarrassed by the town’s name, led a drive to rename it to Gardendale. The city was incorporated in 1955.
Today, Gardendale totals 57 square miles and is home to about 470 businesses, four public schools, two private schools, and more than 25 churches—and nearly 15,000 people. “When Interstate 65 on the western edge of the city was completed in 1985, it stimulated commercial growth along Fieldstown Road,” says Heather. “The Chamber of Commerce was organized in
CONTINUED ON PAGE 19
The civic center includes six meeting rooms and a 6,000-square-foot exhibition space, as well as fitness rooms, an indoor track, and basketball and racquetball courts.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18
1987 and has influenced the city’s development as its membership has grown.” Coming soon to town are a new Taziki’s Mediterranean Café and Kemp’s Kitchen. “Taziki’s will be in the middle of our Gardendale Medical Mile, sharing a building with Brookwood Baptist Health at the intersection of Fieldstown Road and Mount Olive Road. Kemp’s Kitchen will be located on Odum Road right beside Walmart.” The Gardendale Redevelopment Authority recently purchased approximately 26 acres along I-65. Excavation is expected to start in the fall, with new establishments to follow.
Mayor Stan Hogeland has his sights set on all that’s ahead, too. “As mayor, I have never been more excited about the future of our city,” he says. “When the pandemic hit our region, we didn’t know what to expect in regards to our retail tax base. But, to the credit of our citizens and the residents of North Jefferson County, our revenue has increased. In 2020, our sales tax revenue was up 3.59%, and for the first four months of 2021, revenue is up 10.72%. Our community realized the importance of shopping local. The new development along I-65 at Fieldstown Road will bring us new restaurants and retail that have been missing in our community. It’s all about location and visibility, and this site has it all! I have tremendous confidence in our developer, Preferred Growth Properties, who has an established track record in Gardendale, recently bringing us Publix, T.J. Maxx, Starbucks, and Moe’s Southwest Grill.”
Of course, great businesses are key to every successful city, but there is more that contributes to the quality of life it offers. Gardendale retains a strong sense of community, despite its major growth. “We are both family-friendly and familyoriented, where “family” is not strictly defined by bloodline” says Heather. “We have numerous conveniently located parks and playgrounds; a splash pad; the GUTS mountain biking trail with options for amateur and experienced riders; a dog park; a civic center with an indoor and outdoor track, weight room, cardio room, group fitness classes, and rooms available for rent; and a disc golf course.” In addition, she notes that the 25-plus churches in the area serve families with weekly meetings, VBS, small groups, serve events, and strong, active children’s and youth programs. “From flag football, soccer, baseball, and tackle football to cheerleading, gymnastics, dance, baton, tennis, and basketball, there are options for all ages and levels in the area. The city is committed to and heavily invested in future generations.”
Part of that commitment entails a new, stateof-the-art sports complex, with construction starting later this year. On top of that, Heather says plans are currently being drawn for a new recreational complex at Bill Noble Park on Moncrief Road. “The current park will be completely demoed, and the new facility will have nine baseball/softball fields, a football field, eight tennis courts, 11 pickleball courts, a playground, pavilions, and much more. All of the playing fields will be synthetic turf. Upon completion, this park will be the nicest one along I-65 in
CONTINUED ON PAGE 20
the entire state,” she says. While the park will serve the play needs of the city’s children, it will also become an economic development engine to increase revenue across Gardendale and the whole county. “The new park will be marketed across the southeastern United States as a premier destination for baseball and softball tournament play,” says Heather. The park’s projected finish date is March 2023. Circling back to Birmingham’s active medical community, Heather says Gardendale is most proud of its Medical Mile, made up of more than 100 care providers in its own backyard, so residents don’t have to venture far for their medical needs.
In addition to sports and health, the community boasts an active arts and entertainment scene, with both the public library and civic center hosting events for seniors, adults, families, and kids, like book clubs, drive-in movies, movies in the park, food truck festivals, and craft days. “We also have an active Senior Center that brings in luncheon speakers and holds game nights, Bingo, Bunko, and other special programs,” says Heather.
Coming up soon is Gardendale Elementary’s
Meet the team keeping Birmingham looking good!
annual mid-October Friday night fundraiser, with food, rides, and games. Past years’ events have garnered over $30,000. “It promises to be bigger and better than ever this year,” says Heather.
“On October 15-16, Merry Market comes to town with one of the largest arts and crafts shows in the state,” says Heather. “This is one of the biggest fundraisers for Just Keep Smiling, a charity whose mission is financial assistance for families with critically ill children.”
The Chamber of Commerce sponsors the annual Christmas Parade, held the first Thursday of December (December 2 this year). Attendees can look forward to a parade theme, embellished floats, bands, local sports teams, pageant winners, new and old fire trucks, and—most importantly—Santa Claus.
The biggest event in the area is Gardendale’s annual Magnolia Festival. Families from all over converge to enjoy live music, great food, arts vendors, a carnival, inflatables, and live demos. Held every spring, the event also includes a pageant and a scholarship presentation for high school festival volunteers. Next year’s dates are April 22-23, 2022.
Visit mygardendale.com for more upcoming events.
DENTISTRY FOR INFANTS, CHILDREN, TEENS, AND THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
1830 29th Ave S, Ste 140 | SoHo in Homewood (205) 582-2999 | singlebarrelbarbershop.com
