MOBILE, Ala. – More than 700 members of the public gathered for the Mobile Chamber’s 26th annual State of the City and County on the morning of January 17, 2024. 

Attendees had the opportunity to hear Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson and the members of the Mobile County Commission, President Randall Dueitt (District 3), District 2 Commissioner Connie Hudson and District 1 Commissioner Mercia Ludgood highlight major accomplishments of the past year and the initiatives they are most excited to implement in the near future.

State of the City

Mayor Stimpson discussed everything from major projects, such as the Civic Center and updating Cooper Riverside Park, to public safety numbers, pointing out that crime has decreased in Mobile by 40% since 2021.

Stimpson highlighted keeping the “gold standard” or accreditation in Mobile. “The second city in all of the United States to achieve all accreditations is Mobile, AL. This [goal] did not start on the 10th floor in the mayor’s office, this is something that has been driven by the department heads. We are achieving the gold standard of how we operate, and that is something that the departments have embraced.”

State of the County

Mobile Chamber President and CEO Bradley Byrne moderated the program and opened up the county portion by noting that his grandfather was a county commissioner. “I know from personal experience that this is a hard job, and it’s a big county with lots of needs. We are greatly blessed to have Commissioner Dueitt, Commissioner Hudson and Commissioner Ludgood to lead us.”

Commission President Dueitt highlighted the Bayfront Park project for District 3. Following the completion of the pocket beach in 2023, the second phase of the Bayfront Park project is set to be complete later this year. “Upon reopening in late 2024, it will have new restroom facilities, office facilities, new playgrounds and parking lots. This will be a place for people from all over Mobile County to enjoy.”

He also said that a major focus for the Commission in 2024 will be improving infrastructure. “We’re working on sewer and road projects, and we’re creating jobs in Mobile County.”

Commissioner Hudson focused on the developments for the Mobile County Sportsplex, formerly known as the Soccerplex. She stated, “We have been busy in the county, in all three districts. A focus for us has been recreation and sporting facilities as well as cultural amenities. We believe that these directly impact the quality of life and the quality of place. It all kind of works together to be the community where people want to live, work and play. These things are absolutely necessary.” 

As of right now there are three completed soccer fields that are consistently used. Hudson mentioned that there are two more currently in the design phase that will include seven more fields including a championship field, bleachers, locker rooms, restrooms and all the amenities needed. 

Hudson cited that the three current fields are experiencing drainage issues. The root of the issue is due to a design issue with subsurface soil. Those issues are being corrected this summer prior to moving on to phases 2 and 3. Five temporary fields will be opened while the fields are getting repaired.

Hudson also mentioned that she believes the first phase of construction for the Mobile Aquatics Center will be starting soon. “We are looking to potentially break ground on this by mid-year,” she said. “It’s contingent on having the funding in place. The first phase would give us the outdoor 50-meter pool, the dive wells, the indoor warmup instructional pool, and the second phase would be the short course. But, we’re moving forward.”

Bradley Byrne turned the discussion over to Commissioner Ludgood by stating, “There is probably nothing more exciting happening in Mobile right now than what is going on in Africatown.” 

She discussed projects and developments coming to Africatown in 2024 including the Africatown Hall and revitalizing Africatown’s housing infrastructure. “The critical part of maintaining and revitalizing that community is to bring people back. In order to bring people back, we have to have the housing stock there to do it,” said Ludgood.

A new entity, the Africatown Redevelopment Corporation, was established by the Alabama State Legislature and is in charge of housing and housing revitalization in the Africatown community. 

The Africatown Hall will house the area’s foodbank, office and classroom space for the community. Commissioner Ludgood said, “People are coming to Africatown. I think we have spent a lot of energy, time and resources to make sure that when people come to visit the community they can see what’s there but they can also see the community’s vision for itself.”