Pelham's Path to the Future

The Pelham City Council will hold a public hearing during its regular meeting on Monday, August 7, 2023, to consider enacting a one-cent sales tax in the city to fund significant infrastructure upgrades, life safety enhancements, and new recreation and entertainment amenities for Pelham residents. 

If passed, the move would align Pelham with dozens of peer cities throughout central Alabama with similar sales tax rates. This would be the first local sales tax increase in decades, explicitly funding capital projects and enhancing city services in Pelham.  
The sales tax rate in the city is currently nine percent, with five percent going to the state and Shelby County and one percent dedicated to Pelham City Schools. The proposed additional penny in sales tax would generate revenue to pay for multi-year projects that are currently underway or planned. It would also allow the City of Pelham to plan for community-inspired and requested amenities long-term. It is Pelham’s Path to the Future and will stimulate economic growth, ultimately improving the quality of life for residents. 

Major immediate, multi-year, and future projects include: 

• County Road 52 Railroad Flyover project, which includes the realignment of CR-52 West at US-31 and CR-52 East and widening CR52 East from US-31 to I-65. 
• Highway 261 widening project, which will increase the capacity from two lanes to five from US-31 to Bearden Rd. 
• Drainage improvements to the City’s stormwater runoff management system are recommended and informed by findings of a study of the City’s entire drainage network. 
• Addition of ambulance transport service, supplemented by the Pelham Fire Department, including the purchase of medical equipment, cardiac monitors, and personnel 
• Replacement of three fire apparatus that are approaching reserve status within the next ten years. 
• Traffic signal upgrades at all intersections, replacing in-ground loop detection with imagining and thermal detection technology (RTOP initiative) 
• Significant upgrades to the IT infrastructure, ensuring network stability and security resilience. 
• Initial site work on City-owned property known as Blueberry Hill, the site of a future 240+ acre multi-recreational and entertainment space. 
• Investments across Pelham City Park complex, including a batting cage facility, a disc golf course, concession stand improvements, and greenspace improvements. 
• A new pocket park will be incorporated into the planned development near the Pelham Public Library with the goal of creating a new community gathering spot in the city center. 
• New playground and disc golf course at Carroll Park, in addition to a walking path and parking improvements. 
• Construction of a bridge connecting the City Park complex to the Creekview neighborhood park. 
• Addition of dog park and playground replacement at Fun Go Holler Park. 
• Construction and final completion of the Pelham Greenway trail, a continuous connection between Bearden Road and Oak Mountain State Park. 
• Installation of a new Turbochiller, HVAC improvements, and parking lot construction at the Pelham Civic Complex & Ice Arena. 
• Renovations to the greens, bunkers, and golf cart path at Ballantrae Golf Club 
• Clubhouse reconfiguration at the Pelham Racquet Club