Big changes + upcoming projects—Irondale is a community building its future

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If you haven’t taken a drive through the City of Irondale recently, now’s the time to check it out.

From a state-of-the-art ball park to a new library and municipal complex, residents and visitors will have convenience, safety and fun all at their fingertips.

We sat down with Mayor James D. Stewart, Jr. and team to hear how Irondale is on the rise.

The Irondale Library is doubling in size

The current library opened 51 years ago, but a reimagining is nearly complete, with opening anticipated in early fall 2025!

Here are some of the exciting features you’ll find at the new Irondale Library:

• 16,000 square feet of space (twice the size of the current facility)
• Study rooms
• Separate areas for children and teens
• A community meeting room that holds 100 people
• Additional computers + computer areas with free wi-fi throughout
• An adult reading room
• Outdoor patio areas for seating and programs
• More great materials to check out…literally!

Irondale is adding an additional fire station

To meet the needs of its rapidly growing community, Irondale is strengthening its public safety infrastructure with a brand new Fire Station #3. The 13,500-square-foot facility comes at a cost of $8 million, but with the city’s in-house ambulance services and modernized fleet, the investment makes sense. 

Here are some of the features residents and workers will experience—all designed to meet current and future operational needs:

• A private EMS clinic room: This on-site treatment space will allow non-emergency medical evaluations for walk-in patients.
• Four drive-through apparatus bays: Designed for forward-entry and exit to enhance safety and eliminate the need for backing fire trucks into the station
• A dedicated fitness room: Firefighters can get—and stay—ready and well.
• Modern, functional living quarters: Comfortable accommodations for on-duty personnel, including bunk rooms, a dayroom and a dedicated dining area

Don’t miss: Mayor Stewart and Irondale Fire Department Chief Josh McDaniel have scheduled a Groundbreaking Celebration on Tuesday, May 27th at 11AM.

A new civic center will be a hub for active residents

Plans are underway to renovate the former Zamora Temple space, and the services and amenities will be impressive! In addition to an accessible playground, pickleball courts, a splash pad, pavilion and walking track, there’s a fitness center with a cardio and weight room.

And those needing space for meetings and gatherings are in luck: Multiple meeting rooms and a large space that can accommodate up to 1,500 people are included in plans, too.

Construction is expected to begin in late summer 2025 and will be completed in 18-24 months. The City of Irondale has also applied for federal grant funding to assist with extra amenities, so look out for more information as the project gets underway.

Tip: We’ve talked before about how Irondale is a great destination for those who like to stay active: Here’s our roundup of hiking, biking and play spots throughout the city!

A big change for Crestwood Boulevard: The new Irondale Municipal Complex

The highway 78 corridor will be getting a major glow-up: An approximate 50,000-square-foot facility will replace the former Marks Fitzgerald building and the adjacent Regions Bank property.

Located at 1847 Crestwood Blvd, it will house the city council chambers that double as a municipal courtroom, a state-of-the-art police headquarters and offices for the water department, building & inspections department, city administration department and emergency dispatch.

The project, budgeted at $18 million, will go out to bid in summer 2025, and construction will begin later this year, expecting to take 12-18 months once it begins.

Mayor James D. Stewart, Jr. unveiled the renderings at his 2025 State of the City Address:

“Our goal is to build the future in the City of Irondale with this new municipal complex.

Not only will we be modernizing our City facilities for citizens and employees, but we will also be vacating our existing spaces in the downtown core, and thus paving the way for a redevelopment of that area with restaurants and entertainment.

The new Irondale Municipal Complex will truly change the face of Crestwood Boulevard with its modern, sophisticated design, and it is our hope that the City’s investment will attract other new development to the Hwy. 78 corridor.”

_{-Mayor James D. Stewart, Jr.}

 

BONUS: Irondale Farmers & Makers Market every Saturday in Summer

Summer is for celebrating the bounty of fresh and local produce and products.

The city is hosting a weekly market and giving residents and visitors a taste of what makes Irondale a delicious place to live, work and play.

Here’s the latest:

• When: Every Saturday morning starting May 24 through August 2; from 8-11AM
• Where: Irondale City Hall
• What to eat: Fresh vegetables, peaches and strawberries are always a hit + delicious local sweets, breads and local honey
• What to enjoy: Plants, craft and homemade items + special activities like petting farms, seed planting and bee demonstrations.
• FREE!: The market is free to enjoy and will have special promotions each week—giving out items like watermelon, tomato sandwiches, beverages and more.
• Don’t miss: On May 31, the city will host a Community Health Fair in partnership with the Irondale Fire Department and Christ Health. Citizens can get a free wellness screening to have their blood pressure and blood sugar checked, and the first 50 to complete the screening will get a voucher for $10 to spend on fresh veggies at the market.

What services or businesses would you like to see come to Irondale? Let us know @bhamnow!

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