Our Mission:
To make The Village of Spring Hill (TVSH) a neighborhood center by improving the pedestrian, aesthetic and commercial amenities of the area.

Our Goals:
-To support and promote the development and redevelopment of the Spring Hill community of Mobile, Alabama

-To seek multiple avenues and resources to support the development/redevelopment

-To encourage the development of small business, specialty shops and restaurants to this area

-To enhance the pedestrian friendly and neighborhood oriented atmosphere with better sidewalks, trees and green spaces

-To preserve historic sites in the area

Boundaries of The Village of Spring Hill:
     - From the existing Canadian National Railroad Track on the North
      (previously called the Illinois Central located on the north side of Spring Hill Avenue) 
      -To Airport Boulevard on the South (residential areas only – no commercial)
      -From University Boulevard on the West
      -To I-65 on the East
      see map

Issues & Challenges

The Village of Spring Hill is addressing the following challenges that threaten our neighborhood community:

• Broken, damaged and non-existent sidewalks
• Lack of safe pedestrian walkways from one shopping area to another
• Litter and trash along roadways and in commercial parking areas
• Unsightly power lines
• Empty and run-down structures
• Dangerous drive-through traffic in residential areas and school zones
• Unattractive strip shopping centers
• Multiple large asphalt parking lots with no green spaces or attractive planting
• Broken, torn signs in need of repair
• Loss of businesses in our commercial area
• Discouraged residents and merchants regarding the future of Spring Hill
• Apprehension about the loss in property values of both commercial and 
  residential areas
• Loss of valuable property tax base

Solutions & Proposals
The Village of Spring Hill would like to implement the following solutions to the above challenges:

1. Improve our commercial area to make it more attractive to new businesses that want to succeed in neighborhood centers like TVSH
2. Address our pedestrian and traffic issues with a comprehensive sidewalk plan
   -- Widen and repair existing sidewalks
   -- Connect areas of Spring Hill to make it more pedestrian friendly
3. Address our aesthetic concerns
   -- Sponsor an annual Clean-Up Day
   -- Involve merchants and commercial property owners in improving store fronts and
       parking areas
   -- Evaluate possible solutions to the many unattractive lines and wires on power poles
       throughout the area
   -- Implement a tree planting program along streets and sidewalks
4. Research the possibility of additional zoning to maintain the character of Spring Hill
5. Install better street lighting in business area for safety and attractiveness
6. Start a Recycling Program for environmental awareness
7. Sponsor and support events designed to stimulate interest in the business district
8. Rebuild a sense of pride in our community
9. Encourage residents, property owners and merchants to become involved with TVSH  
10. Share our expertise and mentor other neighborhoods in Mobile who want to create their own neighborhood centers

Accomplishments To Date
What we have done:

• Incorporated as The Village of Spring Hill
• Wrote By-Laws
• Elected Officers
• Formed Board of Directors
• Gained 501(C)3 tax status
• Created official TVSH logo
• Designed TVSH web site
• Gained project support from City of Mobile officials
• Conducted a workshop with Business Development Consultant from Washington, D.C.
• Consulted with area architects 
• Consulted with Main Street Mobile and joined the national Main Street organization
• Held a community meeting to gather support for project with over 500 residents, property owners and merchants in attendance
• Co-sponsored the first annual TVSH Clean-Up Day with Keep Mobile Beautiful
• Researched availability of government grants for sidewalks, bike paths, pedestrian walkways
• Requested City/State funding for construction of sidewalks on Old Shell Road from McGregor Avenue to University Boulevard
• Researched relocation of power lines at Old Shell Road and McGregor Avenue
• Obtained funds to install traffic light arm at Old Shell Road and McGregor Avenue
• Supported and participated in the City of Mobile’s Market in the Park
• Investigated the possibility of stricter zoning for the Village of Spring Hill commercial district in order to preserve and create its historic character
• Worked with the City of Mobile’s Urban Planning Department to develop optional TB (transitional business) zoning classification
• Researched and interviewed urban planning firms to assist in the creation of a plan for TVSH
• Submitted a Request for Proposal to urban planning firms

What we are going to do:   

• Involve all residents, merchants, property owners, and area schools in this exciting project
• Maintain communication with residents, property owners, and merchants through TVSH newsletter, web site, and bi-annual community meetings
• Develop public and private sources of project funding through grants, foundations, corporate sponsorships, membership dues, fundraising events and local, state and federal assistance programs
• Secure funds to relocate power lines at Old Shell Road and McGregor Avenue
• Select an urban planning firm to assist in developing a plan for TVSH
• Engage residents, property owners, and merchants in the planning process
• Enlist the cooperation of builders, developers, and commercial property owners in creating the historical uniqueness of TVSH
• Work with Mobile Botanical Gardens, Mobile Museum of Art and Langan Park Alliance towards common goals for the Spring Hill area
• Establish an adopt-a-project program to improve unsightly areas
• Keep step-by-step records of our progress and results to share them with other neighborhoods in the City of Mobile, and possibly the state, who want to create their own neighborhood centers

Updated: March 19, 2008