What do Alabama mayors want in 2025? Security, growth, health

As 2024 draws to a close, Alabama mayors are making wish lists.

They may not be able to control the football schedule or shorten the car line to the new Costco, but they have big plans for jobs, businesses and safety in 2025.

What’s planned for mobile?

In his final year as mayor of Mobile, Sandy Stimpson said he wanted to finish his term successfully by finalizing plans for the city Interstate 10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway ProjectCompliance with the schedule during construction work for new community center arena and adding another cruise ship to Mobile’s offerings.

“My resolution would be to finish strong because this is my last year. That’s why we will do everything we can to the finish line to ensure the next mayor is successful,” Stimpson said.

What’s planned for Birmingham?

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin said the main goals are neighborhood revitalization and public safety.

Recently the Birmingham City Council approved its largest budget ever at $582.6 million Investments like pay raises for city employees, the Birmingham Police Department, neighborhood revitalization and education initiatives.

More than $20 million will be spent on resurfacing roads, sidewalks, traffic calming and increased disease control measures. The revised budget follows $16 million approved in October to improve police recruitment and retention.

Woodfin said he also hopes to curb increasing gun violence throughout the Magic City a tragic murder record of all time.

“We are excited about the future on all levels,” he told AL.com.

What’s coming to Huntsville?

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle said he wants a healthier city in 2025.

“Our parks and recreation facilities are working on different programs to get people just doing something,” Battle said. “I always tell everyone, you don’t necessarily have to run a marathon or compete in a triathlon, just go out and do a little walk, something that just helps you stay healthy.”

Healthy Huntsvillean initiative led by Battle and the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, offers free year-round programs to educate community members about the importance of health and wellness.

In 2025, Huntsville residents will be able to participate in the May Mayor’s Bike Ride, nutrition classes and Fitness in the Park events such as yoga, Pilates and Zumba.

“A healthier community is a more productive community, and it’s a community that just feels better. You can be more productive at work and at home,” Battle said.

What’s coming to Montgomery?

“These are things that we believe contribute to the revitalization of neighborhoods, along with greater development and growth in the population of our city and our economy,” Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed told AL.com. “From public safety to neighborhood revitalization to supporting small businesses that we believe will bring greater prosperity to our community.”

Reed said he wants to invest in public safety initiatives that will bring the city together.

In 2025, the city will launch new violence prevention initiatives such as Together We Rise, a more than $3 million program created to increase community engagement and reduce violence.

“I would like to see Montgomery become more prosperous,” Reed said. “The goal is to fund intervention strategies and provide services that we believe will help those affected by crime in our city. Greater prosperity also includes bringing about change through investments.”

Reed said the city is also investing in a new fire department, several community centers and expanding the downtown convention center.

“We believe this will benefit residents in the 21st century, from health and wellness to financial literacy to after-school programs,” Reed said.