FROM MICHAEL GAY
MILLBROOK CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT
I like to use the tag line “Great things are happening” when I write or talk about things happening in Millbrook. This past year we have seen many great things happen!
Our city is on the move. Our story is being shared nationwide as evidenced recently when we were featured on HGTV Hometown Takeover. It was fun to see our downtown work spotlighted and Kingdom Dough highlighted. Their success is a part of the larger story of our bright future ahead of us.
Downtown continues to progress. It will take a few years to see the result of the investments being made. The city has continued to acquire property around the Village Green. This allows us to plan and develop the area. The new downtown Senior Center will be completed in a few months on land purchased for redevelopment. The city received a Creekwalk grant which will be used to build the first section of a trail that we hope will add to our downtown and to our quality of life. We will continue to work and develop our downtown. I look forward to seeing what small business opportunities rise in this area.
I would be remiss if I did not take time to recognize the work of the Parks and Rec, Street Department and Police Department have done at the Village Green. We have enjoyed numerous events at our park this year. Some of these have been the Summer Concert Series, Cops and Kids Day, Boofest, Christmas Tree Lighting and the Parade.
Highway 14 continues to grow and prosper. New businesses have opened up to serve our community. Please support them and tell others about their businesses. These are entrepreneurs that have made the commitment to invest in our future. This small business energy is being supported by a reinvigorated Millbrook Chamber of Commerce. It is exciting to see business leaders through the chamber grow and add to the fabric of our community.
17 Springs continues to move forward. Phase one is under construction with twelve tennis courts, twelve pickleball courts, four turf multipurpose soccer fields, a grass practice field and a cross country course. When completed, the public facilities will be tournament quality for your enjoyment. Phase 2 will add the Fieldhouse, football/soccer/track and field stadium, and five baseball turf fields. Construction will start at the end of next year or early 2023. When completed, Millbrook will become a destination place for tournament quality sports and recreation. You will also see a 17 Springs commercial retail/restaurant/hotel district start to rise next to it on Hwy 14. We are excited about the quality of life opportunities this will bring to Millbrook and West Elmore County.
I would like thank our partners in the 17 Springs development – Elmore County, Elmore County Board of Education, Elmore County Economic Development Agency, and the Montgomery YMCA. Their willingness to invest in 17 Springs has been a blessing.
Elmore County board of Education has continued to make improvements on our local schools. Stanhope Elmore High School has a new music facility and a theater is under construction. The arts at SEHS are growing and gaining recognition. Recently the theater department under the Direction of Brady Walker competed at state and won several awards. Our schools have worked to offer our children a diversified slate of activities in which they can participate and grow. These activities offer students a chance to engage and volunteer which helps to build future civic participation and leadership.
Our churches and civic organizations continue to provide leadership in helping to grow Millbrook and assist the needy. They are truly the secret sauce that binds our community together. Thank you.
What lies ahead? You will see new businesses coming to Millbrook. Some national and some are locally owned. More hotels are in our future. Your city government and our partners will continue to work on downtown and 17 Springs. We will also continue to invest in our infrastructure. Water and sewer systems, roads, parks and facilities will continue to be improved.
I would like to close by thanking the citizens of Ward 2 for the opportunity to represent you. I would also like to thank the members of the city council for allowing me to serve them as their Council President. We are blessed to have a great council that works hard for you. Last, thank you Mayor Kelley and the employees of the city for the opportunity to work at your side as we build this city one brick at a time. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
