For Immediate Release (Summerdale, AL) – DesignAlabama is at it again with their DesignPlace initiative and this time, eyes are set on Summerdale. As the third fastest growing municipality in the state and minutes away from the Alabama Gulf Coast, Summerdale is an up-and-coming prime locale with exciting design and revitalization plans in store for the near future.
As small towns throughout Alabama continue to reinvent themselves, Summerdale has definitely joined this rejuvenation movement with fervor. They plan to officially kick off their revitalization endeavors in August thanks to an award granted by DesignPlace, a program of the nonprofit organization DesignAlabama, whose mission is to advocate for the collaboration of the design arts and their importance in creating and enhancing places in Alabama. As a partner with Summerdale, DesignPlace professionals will provide design, planning and community identity assistance through a series of intensive visits where they will survey the community, review issues to be addressed, meet with community groups and leaders, develop recommendations, and outline strategies for implementation.
“Summerdale has a rich history and wonderful citizens. With our population having climbed over 75% in the last decade, I am often told by new residents that they consider it to be a hidden gem of Baldwin County. They are drawn to the community fellowship, great school system, and small-town charm. We are honored to have been chosen as a DesignPlace partner as we embark on this next chapter of enhancing and revitalizing our downtown and outlying areas” stated mayor of Summerdale, Mayor David Wilson.
This process initially began in February when Mayor David Wilson was chosen to attend the DesignAlabama Mayor’s Summit which is a two-day roundtable workshop where civic leaders from throughout Alabama work with designers and planners to excavate ideas that will help make their communities desirable, profitable and more livable. Summerdale was then chosen to participate in the DesignPlace initiative.
This collaboration will help guide Summerdale’s new initiatives in a positive direction physically, aesthetically, financially, and socially. With more of our community safely emerging back into public spaces, DesignAlabama is not only looking forward to taking on this new project, but involving the community every step of the way. “By working together as a supportive team, the final product will be one the entire community is proud of” noted Mayor Wilson.
A charrette, an intensive and inclusive planning session, will be hosted by DesignPlace at the Summerdale Alumni Building on August 27th. This event will bring together Summerdale community members interested in contributing creative thoughts toward the project while also learning more about the project origin and outline. The event will last one hour, 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM, and is a casual, come-and-go meeting. All state and local Covid-19 guidelines will be followed to ensure the safety of attendees. A survey will also be available for those unable to attend.
Two days after the charrette, the preliminary vision will be presented to the community. This session is open to the public so residents are able to know what their town has in store for its bright future.
After months unable to safely explore Summerdale due to Stay-At-Home directives, the DesignPlace initiative will be a great way to give residents a positive outlook on the rest of 2020. Being actively involved in the design and plans moving forward for this project will bring forth eagerness and hope – emotions many citizens lost during the COVID-19 outbreak.
DesignAlabama is bringing that zeal back by providing Summerdale with updates that will influence future recreational, residential, and retail venues in a positive way.
DESIGNPLACE SUMMERDALE COMMUNITY COME AND GO – IDEA SESSION
Summerdale Alumni Building
106 NE 1st Street, Summerdale AL 36580
August 27th, 2020
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
DESIGNPLACE SUMMERDALE COMMUNITY COME AND GO – RESULT PRESENTATION
Same location
August 29th, 2020
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
For more information or to request a survey contact Shannon Carlson at 251-200-2176 or edc@summerdaleal.com. An online survey will also be available on the City of Summerdale website (www.summerdaleal.com).
DesignAlabama | DesignPlace: DesignAlabama is a nonprofit, citizen-led organization that seeks to raise the bar for design in our great state through education of the applied arts, promoting designers who live and work in Alabama and supporting sound design thinking to sustain our communities. Their board of directors is made up of design professionals, community development officials and business professionals who champion design. Professionals associated with DesignAlabama visit communities selected to participate in the DesignPlace Program to provide design, planning and community identity assistance. Included are design professionals with experience in architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, graphic design, interior design and planning, showing the underlying success of community development when design arts are used. During intensive visits of one to four days, DesignPlace professionals survey the community, review issues to be addressed, meet with community groups and leaders, develop recommendations, and outline strategies for implementation.
Town of Summerdale:Summerdale is located in South-Central Baldwin County. The downtown area exudes the charm of the quintessential Southern small town and is located just blocks from Highway 59, the major corridor to the sandy, white beaches of the Alabama Gulf Coast. Its rich history began in 1905 and continues today through a strong sense of community. Town amenities include a Children’s Splash Park, Community Center, Museum & Archives, and Senior Citizen Program. Summerdale was recently named the third fastest growing municipality in Alabama. Exciting revitalization efforts have begun alongside DesignAlabama to enhance the downtown and outlying districts.
Media Contact: Lindsay Schumacher | 251-583-6352 | lindsay@lschumacherconsulting.com
City of Summerdale Contact: Shannon Carlson | 251-200-2176 | edc@summerdaleal.com