SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
A bold redevelopment plan is set to reshape west Huntsville into a vibrant, mixed-income community. Backed by a $50 million Choice Neighborhood Implementation (CNI) Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the City of Huntsville and the Huntsville Housing Authority have launched the $350 million Mill Creek Redevelopment Initiative, a transformative project spanning 27 acres west of Memorial Parkway, bounded by Seminole Drive, Clinton Avenue, and Governors Drive.
The ambitious project will replace aging public housing—including Butler Terrace and Johnson Towers—with 705 units of high-quality, mixed-income housing, alongside critical services like healthcare, childcare, retail space, and green infrastructure.
“This project has been five years in the making, with a dream coalition of community and federal partners,” said Mayor Tommy Battle. “We now have the opportunity to create a neighborhood that centers on residents’ needs and provides essential housing for our workforce.”
The first phase, set to begin in late 2025 or early 2026, includes an 84-unit Universal Design building at Governors Drive and 1st Street, which will house current Johnson Towers residents by 2027.
Tony McGinnis, Executive Director of the Huntsville Housing Authority, emphasized the mission behind the redevelopment:
“This grant significantly aids our efforts to develop and preserve safe, affordable housing for all qualifying individuals and families, free from discrimination.”
The project has galvanized support from 27 local partners, including Huntsville Hospital, which is contributing $27 million to build 125 workforce housing units and an on-site healthcare clinic.
“The Choice Neighborhoods Initiative offers a unique opportunity to enhance healthcare access while addressing our workforce housing needs,” said Jeff Samz, CEO of Huntsville Hospital.
Urban developer McCormack Baron Salazar will oversee the work, to be completed over five phases across eight years. Major infrastructure upgrades are also planned, including:
• A 1,400-foot pedestrian cable bridge (PARC project) linking Mill Creek Park to Memorial Parkway
• A Smart Space renovation of the Martin Luther King Jr. building to include early childhood classrooms, a food pantry, and recreational areas
• New greenways and trail connections to Brahan Spring Park and John Hunt Park
“The Mill Creek project sets a new standard for neighborhoods,” said District 1 Councilman Devyn Keith. “As Huntsville grows, we must continue to find innovative and affordable housing solutions.”
Additional milestones include:
• 2025: Launch of small business and commercial façade grants
• 2026–2027: Infrastructure upgrades, small business support programs
• 2028–2030: Public art installations, including artistic bike racks and murals
• 2031–2032: Full completion of Mill Creek Park with trails, playgrounds, and recreation areas
• 2033: Final reporting and project close-out with HUD
An Affordable Housing Manager will also be appointed to guide housing strategies citywide.
To follow project updates, visit www.huntsvilleal.gov.