A Vision, A Grant, A Vacant Lot Bring Life to Downtown Gadsden

There are always magical sounds coming from the Senior Center Courtyard in Downtown Gadsden. During the day, you might hear a soothing waterwall, or casual conversation. On the Third Thursday of each month, the place bustles with Live music, laughter, and dance. It is not a secret destination anymore. It the place to be, and it's in Downtown Gadsden.

Nick Hall, City Planner at Gadsden had a vision to turn a vacant lot into a beloved treasure. He had a vision to transform a muddy, grassy area, collecting rainwater from the rooftops of the surrounding buildings into a vibrant green courtyard. Today, it is a place where friends meet friends, shoppers stroll in from Mainstreet, and where families gather for reunions, dinners, and weddings. During the summer, Downtown Gadsden, Inc. hosts a monthly concert, made possible with grant funding from the Alabama State Council on the Arts.

Coupled with grant money, the City made a small investment, and in exchange, they have created a destination that attracts thousands of residents and visitors to downtown on a regular basis. And when the doors open into the adjacent buildings, the space is transformed into an even larger venue, linking the courtyard to the Ball Room at the adjacent Senior Center, and to the main auditorium of the Historic Pittman Theater.
 
Since it's grand opening several years ago, the courtyard has become a beloved destination. The City loves it. The Senior Center would like to adopt it, and the merchants love the crowds and the customers. It is a win-win for everyone. 


Landscape Architect: KPS Group, Inc. , Amy G Smith, ASLA, LEED AP
Contractor: Dunn Construction 
Owner: City of Gadsden