The city of Leeds launched the first of several community meetings this year to share information about the new comprehensive plan process. The workshop, held at Leeds High School Thursday, Jan. 11, allowed attendees the opportunity to give input into what they would like to see happen for the future of the city. Leeds Mayor David Miller shared a few words and professionals from Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC) led the workshop.

The comprehensive plan for IMAGINE Leeds is an action-oriented, city-wide planning process to make Leeds a better place to live, work and play. The plan will addresses a wide variety of issues, including: Land use, transportation, housing, recreation and economic development. IMAGINE Leeds is a public process and the city wants input from as many residents as possible.

“This is a program that was set up quite some time ago,” Miller said. “This administration is about progress and growth, but sustainable growth, ecologically appropriate growth, and what we really want to do is hear what the citizens have got to say about how we’re doing, where we’re going, what they would like to see us do in the future.”

The plan will be considered a guiding document for revitalizing the historic downtown district among other things. IMAGINE Leeds features major investments and attractions such as Buc-ee’s, Bass Pro Shop and the Barber Motorsports Park, but officials say a downtown area is high on the priority list in order to elevate the existing amenities.

“If you look at the history of Leeds, it started out as a little railroad community and has blossomed,” Miller said. “We have quite a mixture here in Leeds. We are multi-cultural. We have economic status all the way from low-income housing to million-dollar-plus houses. There is something here in Leeds for everybody and we want to keep it that way.”

Several residents attending the kick-off meeting shared a few thoughts about the community launch.

“I am excited to see how the city grows and I look forward to all the wonderful changes and just being more involved in our community,” Leeds resident Melissa Lee said.

“I’m really, really excited that Leeds is doing this. I think it’s been a long time coming,” Morgan Jones said. “It’s a great community, but I think more people need to hear about it and I am really glad that we are just getting information from all of the community so that it gets out to everybody. I love Leeds and the community that it is. There are so many good people in the community and so many great churches. As a pastor, I’m always talking to other pastors and other churches. As a community, we get together and have service together, and it’s just a great place to raise a family, to have kids and there’s always lots to do in the community.”

Alabama Power Community Relations Specialist Telra Rocker said the workshop was a good opportunity for the city to plan out future of Leeds.

“I think that this is a great program. I think that this will help push the city forward with their plans to grow, develop and diversify, bring in people that work, live and play here, to have their input … is nothing but a win-win for the city,” Rocker said. “I think a lot of young adults are looking at Leeds and I think this plan will further help grow the city, diversify it and just make it a great place for families, older people, younger people, all people.”

ImagineLeeds.com will grow and develop with additional information as plans develop.

In addition to the in-person meetings and workshops, residents can provide input via an online survey at https://forms.office.com/r/E8RLTnucCT.