By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – Alabaster may have a blueprint for bringing several new amenities to the city – possibly including a town center, civic center and entertainment district – if the City Council votes in late December to approve Alabaster’s newest comprehensive plan.

The Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham recently finished working with the city to construct the comprehensive plan, which has been built using feedback from focus groups, local residents, business owners and city leaders.

The city’s Planning and Zoning Commission voted on Nov. 17 to accept the comprehensive plan, which will guide the city’s actions for decades, and the City Council likely will vote on the plan during its Dec. 21 meeting.

If the plan is approved, it will lay out several ideas for city leaders to consider as the city grows into the future.

“The comprehensive plan contains over 90 action items for us to consider implementing internally,” City Manager George Henry said in a video posted on the plan’s website, Alabasterforward.com. “We encourage you to go to the city’s website and download the entire document as well as other videos and supporting documents.”

The Regional Planning Commission makes several recommendations in the plan based off feedback it received during the comprehensive planning process.

Among the recommendations were more mixed-use centers incorporating retail, offices, restaurants and housing into single developments, a possible business incubator and an entertainment district along the Medical Mile on U.S. 31 to attract people after 5 p.m.

The plan calls for the extension of the Buck Creek Trail north to the Medical Mile and south to Veterans Park off Alabama 119, and calls for the construction of a new civic center near the intersection of U.S. 31 and Industrial Road.

Along the major corridors of U.S. 31 and Alabama 119, the plan calls for stricter design regulations “to create a uniform and aesthetically pleasing appearance.” The plan also calls for the redevelopment of former Siluria mill area into a town center with a green space, an amphitheater and mixed-use buildings.

The plan recommends the addition of shuttles to transport residents – especially senior adults – between the Alabaster Senior Center, Promenade shopping center and Shelby Baptist Medical Center.