Huntsville Leader

The City of Huntsville is working toward its final infrastructure piece for The Orion Amphitheater, a much-needed parking deck to accommodate the venue’s growing number of patrons. City Council approved plans for a land swap to accommodate the garage, and in turn, help an important community partner – TARCOG. 

The Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments (TARCOG) will relocate its offices at MidCity District as part of a land swap with the City of Huntsville to provide more parking at the Orion Amphitheater.

TARCOG will vacate its 3.6-acre property next to The Orion in exchange for a one-acre site at the southeast corner of MidCity. TARCOG plans to build a new facility on the property to continue serving its five-county region.

City Council approved an agreement to help cover some of TARCOG’s replacement costs and donate the land for a new facility. While the one-acre land swap will be at no cost, the City will provide TARCOG $8 million in assistance to help with the new TARCOG center. The move allows the City to complete its master plan to build a parking deck for Orion Amphitheater operations.

“Having adjacent parking will help public safety, traffic circulation and minimize pedestrian interaction with vehicles,” said Shane Davis, Director of Urban & Economic Development. “Since we don’t need the entire site for parking, we can develop the remaining parcel with retail, food and beverage to create a revenue stream for the City’s tax base.”

Davis said the parking deck and completion of Apollo Park are the City’s last planned public infrastructure investments at MidCity.

View the presentation to City Council HERE.

TARCOG Executive Director Michelle Jordan said the agency is proud to be part of the City’s solution for additional parking at The Orion.

“We’re glad to partner with the City to help The Orion open new doors for people wanting to experience the amphitheater and enjoy a night out,” she said. “We’re also pleased to remain close by and centrally located right in the heart of the development and are excited to move quickly on the project.”

TARCOG provides planning and economic development services to 52 municipalities within five North Alabama counties within Limestone, Madison, Marshall, Jackson and Dekalb. The organization also provides services for the aging, which includes regular assistance to 5,000 seniors at 37 senior centers.

View the presentation to City Council HERE.

 Original source can be found here