The City of Andalusia on Tuesday announced its plans to develop the historic downtown Prestwood Building in partnership with CDG Engineering, Big Mike’s, and Town and Country Boutique. The building, which dates back to the late 1800s, is located on the west side of the court square.
CDG, which was first established in Andalusia nearly 75 years ago, will develop the top floor to host its corporate and Andalusia employees.
Big Mike’s currently has steak and seafood restaurants throughout Alabama, and plans to launch a new concept featuring pizzas, salads, and wings. The new restaurant, Luie's, will occupy the south side of the ground floor, and is expected to also have outdoor dining.
Town and Country Boutique currently is located on the bypass, and will return to its roots. The boutique, which celebrates 70 years this year, began operations on the Square in 1951. Current owner Terri Jones Proctor plans to expand current offerings when the boutique moves to the north side of the ground floor.
The construction projects are expected to take about a year.
When Rose White Parker was growing up, she participated in the summer program at Andalusia’s Will Coleman Center. As a teen and an adult, she worked in the program with Coach Richard Robertson.
Much about the program is the same now as it was then. Kids ages 5 to 12 are welcome. Organized activities are the norm. Tom-foolery is not tolerated. The program is still in the the same location, but the building now also bears Robertson’s name, an honor bestowed upon him in 2020 when he retired after 49 years at the program’s helm.
And now? “Mrs. Rose,” as she is known to children young and old, is in charge.
“I just love the kids,” she said. “Kids are my blessing.”
Most of the year, she is known as the fun and funny TABS teacher at Andalusia Elementary School and Andalusia Junior High School girls basketball coach. In the summer months, she is all about the Center.
The summer program, which is free and has open enrollment through the month of June, runs from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Will Coleman and Richard Robertson Center on C.C. Baker Avenue.
“We provide three meals,” she said. “The kids get lunch at 12:30 at the Woodson Learning Center. At 2:30, we give them a snack, and at 4:45, we give them supper to take home.”
Kids can swim daily, she said, as the Center has lifeguards on duty. She has five assistants, and a number of group activities are planned for children. And while children can bring their phones with them to the center, they can only use them during meal and snack time.
“They don’t come here to sit down and look at their phones,” Mrs. Rose said. “They are either swimming or learning.”
On Fridays, she offers move day on the big screen, with popcorn and sodas.
“Some of these kids will never make it to a movie theater,” she said. “I want them to know the experience. When I was growing up, there were 11 of us, and we couldn’t go to the movies. I know what it’s like, and I want to give the kids opportunities.”
She also has launched a series, Connecting with the Community (hashtags #Connectingwiththecommunity and #letstalk) in which she invites people in the community to come and give an inspirational talk to the program participants. She would love to hear from anyone willing to do a presentation.
Parents may still enroll their children in this summer’s program. The first time a child attends, a parent must register him or her. For additional information, call Mrs. Rose at 334.208.8278.
The City of Andalusia has begun the process of updating its Comprehensive Master Plan and is inviting residents to provide input through a Virtual Community Survey.
The planning process will build on and surpass expectations set in 2003 with the explicit goal of developing a forward-thinking plan that embodies the vision and goals of Andalusia.
Director of Development Andy Wiggins is leading the effort for the city, and the City of Andalusia Planning Commission will play a major role in the development. The City has contracted with Concordia, a New Orleans architectural and community planning firm, for the project.
“We would like for as many people as possible to complete the survey and give us their thoughts about the things they love in Andalusia, and what they would like to see added to the community,” Wiggins said.
Residents may access the survey from the city’s website, or social media pages. Those who are registered voters will begin receiving postcards this week that include a QR code to take one directly to the survey. Those who do not have access to the Internet may participate in the survey in the Andalusia Public Library’s computer lab. The survey will be available through May 31, 2021.
In addition to the survey results, the team members plan to seek additional input through community meetings this summer.
Mayor Earl Johnson said the plan developed in 2003 has been instrumental in the city’s development, and he believes the updated plan also will be helpful.
“A sound Comprehensive Plan helps ensure that the City of Andalusia remains a highly-desirable community in which to live, work, and visit,” Mayor Johnson said. “This can be accomplished by preserving and enhancing the qualities of the city that are considered important. The plan helps residents, business owners and developers invest in the community with a reasonable expectation of what will happen in the future."
For additional information, contact Michele Gerlach at , or at 334.428.1143.
The City of Andalusia will host a Memorial Day ceremony at 10 a.m. on Mon., May 31, at the Covington Veterans Memorial on the campus of City Hall.
Dr. Forrest Lee Marion, Col., USAF (Ret.), will be the guest speaker. Dr. Marion is staff historian at the Air Force Historical Research Agency at Maxwell Air Force Base, where he has been since 1998.
He was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1980, and remained on active duty until 1992, primarily as a helicopter pilot and academic instructor.
Dr. Marion served in the USAF Reserve from 1993 until 2010, mostly as historical officer, with deployments to Southern Philippines in 2002 and Afghanistan in 2009. He returned to Afghanistan in 2011 as a civilian historian.
He is the author of four books and 14 published articles on military history.
He and his wife, April McCready Marion, have four adult children, two of whom attained the rank of USMC captain and now serve in the Reserve. The Marions also have six grandchildren.
Registration for the youth golf is open through May 15 or until slots are filled in Andalusia’s Department of Leisure Services.
The summer golf program is open to students ages 10 – 14, and is limited to 12 slots.
Sessions taught by Art Gilbert at the Evans Barnes Golf Course on the campus of LBW Community College. Sessions are held from 4:30 until 6 p.m., Wednesdays beginning June 9th and continuing until July 28th, excluding the week of July 4th.
Registration is $35 per participant; $55 for two participants; and $75 for three or more participants.
Registration is open from 1 until 5 p.m. weekdays at Johnson Park. Because of limited capacity, there is no online registration. For information, call 222-2714.