Downtown Decatur
Downtown Decatur, Alabama is attracting the attention of entrepreneurs and developers who are choosing to locate downtown because of its quaint historic character, its convenient location to Madison and Huntsville, Alabama, and its close proximity to the beautiful Tennessee River.
Learn more about why locating your business or development in Decatur downtown is one of the best choices you can make.
Visiting Downtown
If you are visiting downtown Decatur, you will find many great shops, attractions, and restaurants to enjoy. The downtown area has many boutique shops and restaurants and is home to historic landmarks such as the Princess Theatre for the Performing Arts, Carnegie Visual Arts Center, and Old State Bank.
Accomplishments
Downtown redevelopment projects have been going on since the Envision Decatur Plan was released in 2004. More recently, the efforts of the Decatur Downtown Redevelopment Authority have been guided by the 2010-2014 Strategic Plan, which focuses on key areas from the Envision Decatur Plan that are vital to the success of redevelopment of downtown Decatur.
About DDRA
Established in 2004, the Decatur, Alabama Downtown Redevelopment Authority was formed to provide consistent support and promotion of the city's redevelopment projects, and create easier avenues for private developers to build and remodel in the downtown and riverfront areas. The organization is governed by a board of directors and led by a full-time executive director. The authority's first executive director, Rick Paler, was appointed to the position in the fall of 2007.
The authority's main responsibilities include:
- Real estate analysis
- Real estate development
- Land acquisition
- Land banking
- Public/private negotiations
- Grant proposal writing
- Grant administration and compliance
- Budget preparation and project planning
- Project management
- Public relations and city council coordination
- Downtown planning and coordination
- Management of the future Building Improvement District (BID)
The Downtown Redevelopment Authority works closely with the city of Decatur, Alabama, the Morgan County Commission, the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce, the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Decatur Downtown Merchant and Business Association (DDMBA) and other government and civic organizations. The Authority also works directly with private investors and developers to attract and encourage new development projects in the downtown Decatur and riverfront districts.
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