A Major Transformation for St. Louis Street
Mobile city council members may soon approve a $16.7 million construction contract that will significantly alter a downtown corridor. The project, which involves a block-by-block renovation of St. Louis Street, will stretch from Broad Street to Water Street and is expected to take two and a half years to complete. While much of the work will be invisible to the public, such as the installation of new water lines, sewer repairs, and drainage improvements, there will also be visible changes that aim to enhance the area.
“I think this area could definitely use some renovation,” said visitor Elizabeth Smith. “It’s going to make a big difference.”
The project includes several above-ground improvements. New curbs and crosswalks are planned, along with the installation of 120 street lights, 47 trees, and more than 2,700 plants. These additions are expected to create a more inviting environment for pedestrians and visitors alike.
“That would be beautiful. That would definitely improve the area and make it a much nicer place to walk around and to be,” said Smith.
Another significant change involves Alabama Power relocating overhead utility lines behind businesses, similar to what has already been done on Dauphin Street. This move is intended to improve the visual appeal of the street.
“The overhead aesthetic is going to completely change on the street. So, it’s going to be really fantastic,” said Jennifer Greene, Mobile Programs and Project Management Director. She emphasized that multiple entities are collaborating to bring this transformation to life.
Before any work begins, the city council must approve the lowest bid construction contract, which is valued at $16,797,719.65, with McElhenney Construction Company. The project is set to start by the end of summer. Funding for the project comes from federal Restore Act funding, totaling $10.7 million, and an additional $4.2 million from MAWSS. Greene noted that discussions with existing businesses on St. Louis Street have already begun to prepare them for the changes.
“We are doing construction back block by block, and that is solely to minimize any disturbance that’s going to happen to the businesses that are there. They are all completely aware of what’s going to happen and approximately when it’s going to happen,” said Greene.
The revitalization of St. Louis Street has been in the works for years. The historic street, once known as “Automobile Alley” for its car dealerships in the early to mid-1900s, has seen a resurgence with new businesses returning to the area.
“Super cool things coming in, and what’s happening is that those blocks have been renovated and what we’re going to do is make it look all the same, right? So that really looks like, when you’re driving down, you’re like, ‘wow, this is an amazing street to drive down.’ You’ve got people walking. You’ve got people biking. You’ve got people driving slowly, because that’s part of the street design,” said Greene.
Looking ahead, the city plans to tackle another major project: the next complete streets initiative on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. Bids for this project will open next week, signaling continued efforts to enhance mobility and aesthetics across the city.
