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By TYLER RALEY | Staff Writer

HOOVER – Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato provided his 2025 State of the City Address to the members of the Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce, giving people an insight on where the city is currently at during a luncheon on Tuesday, Jan. 21.

Brocato spoke on a number of topics at the Hyatt Regency Birmingham–The Wynfrey Hotel, notably including the improvements to safety and decrease in crime, school improvements and the growth of businesses around Hoover.

During his address, Brocato discussed a hot topic in the Hoover area that has been controversial in recent years—the Galleria. He spoke on his plans to help begin moving the space in a new direction, but cited there has been particular difficulties in doing so.

“The challenge that we have been faced with over the years though is that the Galleria is owned by at least eight different entities, and the challenge has been getting them all together to discuss and share what the future looks like for the Galleria,” Brocato said.

As a result, Brocato plans to do a market assessment study for the Galleria over the course of 2025, looking at the potential for redevelopment in combination with the property’s market conditions, which will ultimately come together with the best plan for improving the property overall.

During his speech, the mayor spoke on law enforcement and the recent trend of crime in the city, discussing how he feels the performance of the first responders in Hoover has been one of many excellent traditions, especially with the rate at which crime went in 2024.

“In 2024, our police department saw a nearly 10 percent decrease in the total number of offenses,” Brocato said. “Our fire department responded to more than 360 fire calls and treated more than 10,000 patients, transporting 5,000 patients to area hospitals throughout the metro area… The strong tradition of our public safety department has positioned them for positive transformation.”

Brocato went on to speak about the police department’s use of drones to get to scenes rapidly and assess the situation before the ground units arrive, discussing how they are used by a drone pilot at the city hall and how they had to obtain clearance from the FAA to use them.

Brocato continued by mentioning the strong growth of businesses in Hoover as about 170 businesses have opened in the last year, while the chamber held more than 40 ribbon-cutting events.

“Our draw to open new businesses remains strong in our city,” Brocato said. “It’s always a treat to see these new businesses open in our city and to celebrate with the excitement of all those new owners.”

To go along with the idea of the growing city, the mayor discussed the addition and significance of a new interchange in Exit 9 off of Interstate 459. The “diverging diamond” concept will affect a combination of cities, including Bessemer, Helena, Hoover and Birmingham, and is a project that is set to cost $120 million, which is being split with the Alabama Department of Transportation. ALDOT will open bids in the summer, and after a bid is accepted, the completion time is estimated to take two to three years.

Brocato also touched on the city’s creation of Riverwalk Village, which is a 90-acre mixed-use community that will focus largely on health and wellness.

Located in Riverchase, the village will feature medical facilities, residential spaces, retail amenities and trails. Most notably, a healthcare center will be available and will include an ambulatory care center and a diagnostic center.

“The days of filling large office buildings with employees has become a challenge,” Brocato said. “Allowing these buildings to sit empty is something we cannot afford to do. It’s forced us to get creative and to think outside of the box on ways to resurrect these spaces in a way that is valuable and purposeful.”

In addition, Brocato touched on the excellent performance from Hoover City Schools on its annual report card, while also taking time to highlight the recent improvements to neighborhoods and the renovations being done to Hoover Metropolitan Stadium, as the city looks to keep hosting ownership of the SEC Baseball Tournament.

Brocato also announced his plans to run for reelection and a third mayoral term in the 2025 election cycle, looking to continue his successes in Hoover on the business landscape, while also looking to continue a positive track in diversity and equity for the city.