November 2024 | Volume 13 | Issue 2
Sun HOOVER’S COMMUNITY NEWS SOURCE HOOVERSUN.COM | STARNESMEDIA.COM
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Reimagining the landscape Hoover’s dream to make ’80s office parks into 21st-century work spaces By TAYLOR BRIGHT
I
magine a U.S. 280 full of green, walkable communities, workers riding bikes to the office and old office parks revitalized into new multi-use communities. The idea that stretches of U.S. 280 could be transformed from acres of asphalt to idyllic spaces for living and working is one the city of Hoover hopes to achieve. Last year, city officials announced they would be commissioning a study that would examine the feasibility of what the city called a “tech corridor” — looking at attracting tech-based jobs to the city. That study was completed this summer, with a set of recommendations the city hopes to implement. The study focused on Meadow Brook, but Jackson Pruett, economic development coordinator for Hoover, said the city looked at Alpharetta, Georgia, Brentwood, Tennessee, and Sandy Springs, Georgia, for inspiration.
See TECH CORRIDOR | page A18
Stephen Springfield plays with his dog, Riley, while eating lunch in the back of his car in Meadow Brook Corporate Park off of U.S. 280 on Oct. 9. Springfield commutes from Homewood, so he relies on the presence of green spaces to spend time with Riley on his break. Photo by Savannah Schmidt.
Hoover retailers prep for Christmas shopping season
A Dear Prudence store employee sorts through the 50% off rack. The store offers clothing, goods and jewelry that change with the seasons. Photo by Savannah Schmidt.
By GRACE THORNTON Sherry Hartley said the Christmas shopping season has been on her mind for a long time. At Alabama Goods in Stadium Trace Village, the pottery, soaps, jewelry and other products that are ready to be Hoover residents’ Christmas gifts have been months in the making. “We start our process of Christmas preparation by ordering the things that are the most time-consuming to fill — things that are made by hand by our local artists and crafters all over the state,” said Hartley, who co-owns the store with Beth Staula.
INSIDE
Sponsors..........................A4 City....................................A6
Schoolhouse....................A8 Business......................... A10
They started working on corporate orders in September and will continue to ramp up with those through the holidays. “Fourth quarter for us is when we go from the red to the black, so it’s crucial for us,” Hartley said, noting they have been preparing for this year to be as good for holiday shopping as 2023. She said she hopes that after election day in November, shoppers “will be more comfortable spending their money.”
See HOLIDAY SHOPPING | page A16
Real Estate.................... A14 Events...............................B4
Sports...............................B8 Community......................B11 facebook.com/hooversunnews
Clearing the Way
Best in Show
Legislators seek to remove restrictions for grocery tax reductions.
High school art teacher wins Bluff Park Art Show.
See page A6
See page B4