Mike Myers took office as the new Ward 1 City Councilor in early November 2025 and hit the ground running working for his Ward.
Alabaster Connection: How have your first few months on council gone, and what are you excited about for this new year and to have been a part of already?
Mike Myers: The first few months were very busy due to the holidays, but they went extremely well thanks to the support of my fellow council members and our incredible city staff. I cannot thank them enough for their guidance, patience in answering questions, and overall support as a newly elected Councilman. From the opening of The Shoppes at District 31, to the groundbreaking of the QuikTrip at Hwy 31 and Hwy 11, and the continued progress at the new Library and Recreation Center, Alabaster has so many great things happening in 2026!
AC: You mentioned Alabaster Boulevard as one of your main concerns coming into your term, and I recently saw that the County has taken this up as a project they want to get done as well. Can you tell me the status of things and what exactly needs to be done and what this will do for your ward and for all the citizens of Alabaster and beyond?
MM: The completion of Alabaster Boulevard connecting to Highway 31 has been a key priority for me this term. I was proud to introduce Resolution 012626 at the City Council meeting on January 26th authorizing the Mayor to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with Shelby County to complete the right of way acquisition, design, construction, and ongoing maintenance for the extension of Alabaster Boulevard from its southern terminus to US 31. The resolution passed unanimously. This project will help alleviate traffic along Weatherly Club Drive and provide faster, more efficient access for public safety services—fire, police, and emergency medical response—to residents of both the Weatherly and Ballantrae neighborhoods, representing more than 1,700 homes.
AC: Can you give me an update on The Shoppes at District 31 and the project as a whole?
MM: The Shoppes at District 31 will begin opening in the summer of 2026. The businesses coming to this development are expected to be well received by Alabaster residents, with an excellent mix of restaurants and boutique retailers. These are exciting times for Ward 1 and for the entire City of Alabaster!
AC: Tell me about the city absorbing the water works and what it means for citizens.
MM: The integration of Alabaster Water into City services will be a tremendous addition for our city. This move allows Alabaster to negotiate future commercial and residential developments as a single entity, rather than navigating the process through two separate organizations. Employees from the Alabaster Water system will transition to become City of Alabaster employees, ensuring continuity of service and experience. City leadership and the City Council have full confidence in Fred Hawkins to lead this division and manage it as its own enterprise fund, just as water-related services like sewer and garbage are currently operated under City services. Additionally, this transition improves efficiency and delivers meaningful cost savings by shifting previously contracted services to existing City operations.
AC: Tell me what you are most looking forward to seeing come to fruition as 2026 moves forward.
MM: The opening of The Shoppes at District 31, continued hotel progress along Alabaster Boulevard, and steady advancement on the Library and Recreation Center all highlight the incredible momentum happening across our city. We are also seeing continued growth in new residential construction in every ward across the city, along with District 31 finally breaking ground with outstanding anchor stores, including a wholesale grocer. 2026 is shaping up to be a fantastic year for both the City of Alabaster and its residents, with so many exciting commercial additions ahead. Beyond development, residents can also look forward to a fantastic music lineup to be announced soon for the Amphitheatre at City Hall, as well as the upcoming City Fest lineup. There are truly so many great things happening in the city we are proud to call home!