11/19/03
By THOMAS R. TINGLE
For the Madison Spirit tingle67@knology.net
While 2003 is shaping up to be another strong year for residential construction in Madison, the director of the Community Development Department said Madison should be able to handle another seven to 10 years of fast-paced growth under proper management.
Director Bob Atallo said that commercial construction in the city is below average in 2003, but residential construction is up from the same time period last year. He said the success of Madison's growth is attributed to a number of factors. But if the city fails to manage its growth properly, he said, people will start to move out and it's all over.
He said the Balch Road area of Madison continues to experience the most residential growth this year, and several subdivisions under construction off County Line Road are keeping builders very busy in western Madison.
Among the new subdivision being developed off Balch Road are Walden III and Walden IV, Buckingham and Georgetown.
"Off County Line Road, the Stonecrest, Heritage Provence and Heritage Plantation West are being built," Atallo said. "Both areas are experiencing rapid residential growth."
A master planned community off Balch Road and Browns Ferry Road is also under construction. The roads for the new community are now being built.
Atallo said the estimated number of building permits to be issued by the end of the year for single-family home dwellings is 600. He said 125 apartment unit permits are expected to be issued by his department by the end of the year as well.
While the summer months are generally considered the peak months for residential growth, Atallo said that is no longer the norm.
Atallo said excellent schools, low crime, good fire protection and other urban services in a basically suburban, semi-rural setting are among the contributing factors to the continued success of the residential growth of Madison.
A new outpatient surgery center, located on the Hughes Road extension next to Alabama Psychiatric Services, is among the largest commercial building permits issued by the Community Development Department this year. A new elementary school under construction on Balch Road is also among the largest permits issued in 2003.
Atallo said his department has approved plans for a new Walgreen drug store at the intersection of U.S. 72 and Hughes Road.
"A strip shopping center is planned in front of the Bradford Farms subdivision on Hughes Road," Atallo said. "It will be located on the property just north of the entrance to the subdivision."
Atallo said he does expect to see the building trend continue in Madison.
"As long as we are careful not to kill the golden goose by growing too large or failing to manage and keep up with our growth," he said, "we should be able to handle another seven to 10 years of fast-paced growth."
After that time period, Atallo said, Madison will begin to run out of land.
"We will have to decide whether to annex more land or close our borders," Atallo said. "On the other hand, if we fail to manage our growth properly, people will start to move out and it's all over."
