Tuscaloosa To Test 'Summer In The Square' Concept Next Week

TUSCALOOSA, AL — In an effort to better promote safety in downtown Tuscaloosa, city officials plan to test a concept that will see a portion of one of the city's busiest entertainment districts temporarily blocked off to vehicle traffic.

The proposed test concept comes after a wave of violence in Temerson Square and on The Strip where several pedestrians were severely injured by motorists during high-traffic times.

Mayor Walt Maddox presented the pilot concept to the City Council's Projects Committee on Tuesday, dubbing the test "Summer in the Square."

From June 17-19, the city will block off roads in the area of 4th Street and 23rd Avenue, off of University Boulevard, allowing only foot traffic in the vicinity from 11 p.m. until 3 a.m.

Maddox underscored that this would only be a test and serve as a way for the city to better understand the benefits and pitfalls of temporary road closures in entertainment districts, along with its impacts to surrounding neighborhoods and streets. The mayor then emphasized that the test would not turn Temerson Square into a block party and would still feature the same police and security presence as it typically expected.

He also explained the concept was born from discussions over the past two months with restaurant, bar and business owners in the area, with city councilors Lee Busby and Matthew Wilson also involved in the dialogue.

"The goal is to test whether this is an area that fits more of a pedestrian model rather than a vehicular model for an entertainment district," Maddox said on Tuesday, before saying that ride share pickup spots would be included. He also said future tests could see the incorporation of bollards, which are metal or concrete barriers that can be used to temporarily block roadways.

What's more, the Summer in the Square test will coincide with the first large scale concert at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater on June 17 when Jon Pardi takes the stage. Maddox pointed out that the kickoff to concert season could also provide valuable insight into of the flow of pedestrians through that portion of downtown Tuscaloosa following an event at the amphitheater.

In considering the impact to businesses, City Attorney Scott Holmes said it would likely be minimal, as restaurants in the area typically stop serving food before 11 p.m., while the city's restrictions on outdoor alcohol in entertainment districts also go back into place after 11 p.m.

The mayor went on to explain that Summers in the Square is just the first step in a longterm vision to boost both the value and safety of the city's entertainment districts, which are crucial to Tuscaloosa's tourism economy.

"We can do this, it doesn’t require council approval, but certainly if we move forward this is something that would have to be budgeted," Maddox said. "If it works, we will probably test it at another time."

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