Dothan city leaders and department heads are meeting Friday and Saturday for strategic planning, setting the scene for the many developments the city is eyeing in next five years.
Interim City Manager Randy Morris briefed the Dothan City Commission and city department heads on broad plans for development in the city, including but not limited to:
- East Dothan community center, which can expect partial federal funding
- New city hall and annex
- Arena and arts center
- Westgate supersite, which could be partially funded by the state, but requires water, sewer services, and new roads
- A judicial complex, or at least a renovation for the magistrate’s office
- ShotSpotter gun detection for Dothan Police
- A real time crime center
- A driving track for the Wiregrass Public Safety Center
- Drones for the fire department and police department
- Another new fire station
- Renovation of Westgate Fire Station admin office
- A mobile command vehicle for Dothan Fire
- New software and logistics systems for Dothan Fire
- New software for court systems
- A large amount of new roads/road resurfacing
- Downtown traffic signal upgrades
- Citywide lighting replacements
- Storm basin drainage improvements
- Property acquisition for affordable housing projects
- A City Comprehensive Plan Update
- Pickleball facilities
- BMX/Skate park
- Eastside Senior Center feasibility study
- Miracle Playground replacement
- Wiregrass Pool replacement and Pool House renovation
- Wiregrass Splash Pad
- Doug Tew Therapeutic Pool renovation
- 10 new clay tennis courts at Westgate
- Lazy river at Water World
- Finding land for a new soccer complex
- Relocating the downtown fuel site
- City Shop additions/renovations
- More storage space
- Electrical improvements
- Water system improvements
- Wastewater improvements
This sounds like a lot — and it is.
Strategic planning is meant to allow city leaders to hear more about what the city wants and needs to work with department heads on guiding resources for upcoming projects. The briefing gave general updates on the money allocated to certain projects and where the city would need to obtain more funding, but several projects are already partially funded or have funds waiting to be allocated.
The meetings aren’t intended to officially set anything in stone; they are to provide direction for development; however, many matters are on the docket for the City of Dothan in the next five years.
