A long-term plan to develop a new community campus in District 7 was approved by the Montgomery City Council on June 16.
The master plan for the Greater Floyd Campus includes the Floyd Community Center, the Montgomery Therapeutic Recreation Center, former school properties and open green space. The community campus replaces the old Floyd middle and elementary schools on Augusta Avenue.
“We call it the Greater Floyd Campus because while those old schools are in the center, it’s clear the properties from Lebron to Norman Bridge, both public and private, impact redevelopment potential,” Lois Cortell of the Montgomery Department of Economic Development said.
The project seeks to improve connectivity, walkability, safety and infrastructure.
“The Floyd School Master Plan represents a thoughtful and forward-looking vision for the future of this property,” said Normandale Neighborhood Association President Carol Tucker. “It is more than a development proposal; it is a commitment to revitalization, community investment and long-term neighborhood improvement.”
Tucker delivered an overview of what the campus will contain, including upgraded recreational facilities, walking trails, therapeutic gardens, community gathering spaces, improved pedestrian connections, traffic-calming measures, enhanced lighting and security features and expanded green space amenities.
“This plan responds directly to the needs that community members have consistently identified,” she said.
Speaking in favor of revitalizing the property was Jerome Jones, who said that he and his wife live nearby.
“I will say that the (existing) Floyd campus is an eyesore,” Jones told the council. “It’s almost a block of blight. It’s very dark. But even in that situation, if you go by the Floyd campus on any given weekday, we’ll have a hundred children and adults on that campus, even though the grass is grown up to their ankles.”
The project will be supported by funds from the American Rescue Plan Act or ARPA.
“The Greater Floyd Campus Master Plan is the result of countless conversations with residents, neighborhood leaders and stakeholders who shared their ideas for what this area can become,” said Andrew Szymanski, who represents District 7.
“When we dedicated ARPA funding to these planning efforts, the goal was to create a roadmap for meaningful investment that reflects the community’s priorities,” Szymanski said. “This plan helps position us to pursue future improvements that enhance safety, walkability, recreation and overall quality of life while honoring the history and importance of this area.”
The Montgomery City Council meets at 5 p.m. every first and third Tuesday of the month at City Hall on 103 North Perry Street. Recordings of meetings can be found on YouTube and Facebook.
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