Overshadowed no more, Decatur’s mayor sets 75,000 population goal: ‘We’re taking off now’

While neighboring cities like Huntsville, Athens, and Madison have experienced explosive development, Decatur has remained relatively stagnant. However, Mayor Kent Lawrence is signaling a new era for the River City, declaring that a period of significant growth is finally underway.

“We may be a little behind those other cities, but we’re taking off now,” Lawrence told 205focus.com.

Rising National Recognition

Decatur is stepping out of the shadows as its profile grows nationally. U.S. News & World Report recently ranked the city 60th in the country on its list of Best Places to Live. Notably, it stands as the top-ranked city in North Alabama and the third-highest in the state.

Lawrence believes this accolade is a vital marketing tool as he looks to attract newcomers to the Tennessee Valley, particularly those moving for roles related to the FBI expansion and U.S. Space Command headquarters at Redstone Arsenal. “Decatur is the No. 3 town in the state of Alabama to move to,” he said. “We’re a great community. We’re big enough to have a lot of things to do here, but we’re small enough to still have community.”

The city’s visibility is also peaking this week with the arrival of the Rock the South music festival, which moved north from Cullman. This event serves as a highlight in a busy six-week calendar that also included the Alabama Jubilee over Memorial Day weekend.

A Roadmap to 75,000

Mayor Lawrence has set an ambitious target to grow Decatur’s population from roughly 58,000 to 75,000. He is banking on a wave of new residential projects to reach that mark, including the upcoming South Brook development—an 80-acre project on the former Decatur Country Club site—along with new subdivisions in the Burningtree and Upper River Road areas.

Residential housing is also moving into the city’s core. The city council recently greenlit the Casa Grande Park development, which will provide commercial space and Class A apartments on 2nd Avenue. This movement follows recent starts on apartment construction near Beltline Road, the first such additions to the city since 1996.

Beyond residential efforts, city officials are eyeing the Alabama 20 corridor into Limestone County for future industrial and housing expansion, with Lawrence asserting that development there is inevitable.

Significant Infrastructure Investment

The city has seen $1.5 billion in total investment over the past few years, ranging from industrial growth to municipal projects. A centerpiece of this effort is the $10 million 6th Avenue (U.S. 31) beautification project, which aims to enhance traffic flow and safety by early 2027.

Downtown is also seeing a transformation through partnerships with Calhoun Community College and Athens State University, including new dorms and athletic facility relocations. Additionally, the Cook Museum of Natural Science is undergoing a $35 million expansion to solidify its status as a premier STEM destination.

Focusing on Public Safety

Public safety remains a cornerstone of the mayor’s agenda. Following the 2023 death of Steve Perkins, the city brought in Police Chief Torry Mack to lead the department. According to city data, the results have been significant: violent crime dropped 45.16% in the first quarter of the year, and property crime fell by 6.42%.

“My vision is a thriving, safe growing city where everybody has trust in the government and pride in their neighborhood,” Lawrence said.