Debra Hewitt

Rick Paler with The Decatur Downtown Redevelopment Authority hosted a public meeting Monday night at our own Princess Theatre. The establishment of a Calhoun Community College fine arts school in downtown Decatur is included the five year plan. There are 31 projects in the plan including further riverfront development. Paler reported that it is unlikely all 31 projects would be completed within the next five years. He has meetings scheduled with businesses to discuss funding the projects. Paler said public input is welcomed. Thanks to Mr. Paler for working so hard in helping make Decatur a great place to be!

Fulin's Asian Cuisine will open this month at The Crossings of Decatur. Some compare the 6400 square foot upscale restaurant to PF Chang's. The restaurant will feature a sushi bar. Its menu includes lunches in the $7 range and dinner entrees from $7 to $20. The Crossings of Decatur is anchored by Target. Other eating establishments at The Crossings include Panera Bread, 5 Guys Burgers, and Starbucks. Welcome Fulin's!

Decatur's very own Point Mallard Park's ice skating rink has partnered with Huntsville to host the USA Hockey Southeastern District tournament in 2009. It is estimated the tournament will draw more than 2,400 players, coaches, officials and supporters to Decatur and Huntsville. The tournament is scheduled for March 12-15 and will feature 48 teams. The winning teams will proceed to the national championship. Come visit us in Decatur, Alabama!

Alabama Academy Sports officials said they hope to begin construction January 2009 on their 74,863-square-foot store in Decatur, Alabama. Completion is expected to be July 2009. The store will be located on Wimberly Road and is adjacent to Home Depot. This convenient location is just off of Beltline Road and is close to the newly constructed Chili's Restaurant. Academy Sports was founded in 1938 and is one of the country's largest sporting goods retailers. It employs more than 11,000 people at 105 stores across the southeastern United States. Great news for Decatur! Come visit us!

If you are in our area stop by and visit the great city of Decatur! It is always exciting to see new businesses coming to our city. Workers are prepping ground at The Crossings of Decatur for a Regions Bank and an AT&T store. Both Regions and AT&T expect their completion in the spring of 2009. AT&T will build a 3,500-square foot store. The Regions Bank branch will replace the branch at Gateway Shopping Center on Sixth Avenue Southeast.