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Huntsville City Council • District 1 December 2025
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Holiday Best Wishes for District 1
At this special time of year, I just want to share my appreciation for District 1's support. District 1 is truly home for me and it is an incredible honor to serve as your representative on the City Council. I am excited about the progress that we've made so far and look forward to many more opportunities to make our district the very best it can be. I wish you all the best in this holiday season.
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Jazzgiving With Friends Kicks Off Holiday Season
The soothing jazz sounds of saxophonists Alex Banks and Tommy Friend echoed throughout Cavalry Hill at the Jazzgiving with Friends celebration at the community center auditorium. Playing classics such as "Isn't She Lovely?" and "Stand By Me," the instrumentalists provided a energetic musical prelude to the holiday season. Special thanks to Arts Huntsville for their help in staging the concert. Stay tuned for more information about the next community event at Cavalry Hill in February.
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Major Retail Development Set for District 1
The City Council approved a major retail and restaurant development for District 1 at Thursday's meeting. The project will feature more than 500,000 square feet of retail space and the development will be anchored by Target and Home Depot. The development will be on the southwest corner of the Memorial Parkway and the State Route 255 (Northern Bypass) intersection. The $240 million development will announce more tenants at a later date.
“This project is a tremendous win for District 1 as well as all of Huntsville,” District 1 Council Member Michelle Watkins said. “I am excited about this new development, and I want to thank the administration and my Council colleagues for their support. It’s a new day in Huntsville and I can’t wait until the groundbreaking.”
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Envision Making a Difference at Cavalry Hill
Council Member Watkins recently joined Huntsville Housing Authority Executive Director Antonio McGinnis, announced plans for the "Envision" initiative at Cavalry Hill Community Center. Envision will be an all-inclusive learning center at Cavalry Hills Community Center offering GED prep classes, job fairs, financial literacy classes, and medical services provided by HAPPI Health.
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Join Deck the Districts Competition
The City Council is continuing its traditional Deck the Districts competition for the best exterior home decorations. Award winners from each district will be recognized with a prize package at the Dec. 18 Council meeting. Get some great pictures of your display and enter the contest.
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One Table Celebration
Council Member Watkins was proud to attend this year’s One Table community meal presented by Village of Promise and expressed his gratitude for the organizers and volunteers who make this meaningful tradition possible each year. The event brought residents from across Huntsville together for fellowship, conversation and a shared holiday meal in the heart of the city.
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Thanksgiving with City Employees
One of the highlights of the holiday season is the annual Thanksgiving Appreciation Luncheon for City employees. Council Member Watkins enjoyed meeting with employees and thanking them for their service to the City. About 2,500 full- and part-time employees serve the residents of Huntsville in 27 City departments. Their work is part of what makes Huntsville a special place to live and work.
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Enjoy Holiday Happenings in District 1
Parks & Recreation is overflowing with the holiday spirit and has scheduled events throughout Huntsville. Events in District 1 include:
- Jingle & Mingle Wreath Workshop: Friday, Dec. 5, 5-8 p.m., $10 per participant, ages 18+, Cavalry Hill Community Center
- Deck the Halls: Saturday, Dec. 6, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., free, ages 5+, Dr. Richard Showers, Sr. Recreation Center
- Jingle Jammies Holiday Pajama Party: Saturday, Dec. 13, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., free, ages 5+, Dr. Richard Showers, Sr. Recreation Center
- Holly Jolly Movie Night: Friday, Dec. 19, 5:30-7:30 p.m., free, all ages, Cavalry Hill Community Center
- Jingle Jam: Saturday, Dec. 20, 4-7 p.m., free, all ages, Dr. Robert Shurney Legacy Center
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Stay Busy This Winter with Parks & Recreation
Just because cold weather is not far away, it’s no time to go into hibernation. Parks & Recreation has more than 100 activities available in the Winter Program Guide to help you stay busy. Options range from walking groups to pickleball, basketball or sewing. Best of all, most of the activities are free.
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Milestone Year for Huntsville Music Office
The Huntsville Music Office celebrated a milestone year of success recently at the Vesper Sky Lounge at the Trilogy Hotel overlooking Big Spring Park. Music Officer Matt Mandrella recapped the dynamic year-in-review that propelled Huntsville’s music ecosystem onto a national and global stage.
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Planting Trees at Cavalry Hill
Council Member Watkins joined more than 80 community volunteers at a tree planting event at Cavalry Hill Community Center. With Green Team spearheading the effort, more than 250 trees were planted. Green Team prepared all planting sites in advance and supplied tools, trees and expert guidance to ensure the effort’s success.
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Honoring Team Redstone's Ten-Milers
Council Member Watkins presented Team Redstone and head coach Harry Hobbs, Vice President for Employee Engagement at Huntsville Utilities and retired Army Chief Warrant Officer 5, with a resolution honoring its participation in the 41st Annual Army Ten-Miler held in Washington, D.C. This year marked Team Redstone's 29th consecutive year bringing home the prized eagle trophy for the Government Agencies Division.
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Veterans Museum Expansion
In a project to honor Huntsville’s veterans and help teach others about our nation’s proud military history, the City recently broke ground on a 35,000-square-foot expansion of the U.S. Veterans Museum in John Hunt Park. The museum houses items that date to the Revolutionary War and the expansion will allow the museum to better display its inventory and add more artifacts.
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COMING UP
Dec. 4: City Council Meeting, 5:30 p.m., Huntsville City Hall
Dec. 18: City Council Meeting, 5:30 p.m., Huntsville City Hall
Dec. 25-26: Christmas, Municipal Offices Closed
Jan. 1, 2026: New Year's Day, Municipal Offices Closed
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