Volume 2 | Issue 9 | January 2015
New hall for the Hills Vestavia Hills is filled with hardworking women. In this issue, read about the area’s female business owners and the services they provide.
See page B1
Year in preview
See what’s in store for Vestavia Hills in 2015, including a new southern gateway and a Cahaba Heights park.
See page A14
An epic journey
(above) The new City Hall, located at 1105 Mayland Lane, will have more than 50,000 square feet of space and is planned to open in September 2015. Rendering courtesy of the City of Vestavia Hills. (right) Construction workers create the steel frame for the new City Hall. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.
By SYDNEY CROMWELL
This past fall, local resident Donna Arrington completed the Pinhoti 100, a 100-mile trail run. Read about her experience inside this issue.
See page A16
INSIDE Sponsors..............A4 City .........................A5 Business ................A8 Food ......................A11
Chamber ..............A12 School House........B11 Sports ...................B13 Calendar ...............B17
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The city of Vestavia Hills is touting itself as “a life above,” and it’s starting with the new City all. hen finished, the building’s elevation will give its offices commanding views of the growing city around it and Double Oak Mountain in the distance.
Construction on the municipal complex is proceeding right on schedule, City Manager eff Downes said. Steel beams, roofing and some of the walls have appeared at the City Hall, and the neighboring police department building’s progress is not far behind. Downes said the city is expecting to move into the new complex at 1105 Mayland L ane in September
2015.
The city will have more than 50,0 square feet to create larger meeting rooms, update holding cells and reorganiz e department offices. Downes said the city’s computers and servers, currently located in the basement, will
See CONSTRUCTION | page A22
Wheeling forward Vestavia nonprofit gives custom bikes to children with disabilities By KATIE TURPEN Chad Downes had never ridden a bicycle when he moved to Vestavia Hills in 2013. However, within two weeks, Dave Upton of Birmingham
AMBUCS gave his dad, City Manager Jeff Downes, a call. “Chad now gets to ride his bicycle around the L iberty Park area and really enjoys it,” Jeff said of his oldest son.
See BIKES | page A23
Birmingham AMBUCS Executive Director Katie Troncale helps Marie Bateh adjust a bike for daughter Suki. Photo by Karim Shamsi-Basha.