Mayor Steve Holt
FLORENCE-Mayor Steve Holt gave an update/briefing on the Animal at the January 3, 2017 Florence City Council meeting:
“The animal shelter is our #1 priority for 2017. Several meetings have been held involving Mindy Gilbert, State Director for the Humane Society for the state of Alabama, the ad hoc committee, our local shelter director and volunteers, public safety officials, and heads of departments, as well as multiple meetings with the architects.
The building is not considered a “destination” building and it has been made clear to the architects that it be an affordable, cost effective facility, one of efficiency in both facility and operation, that it has a common sense function and durability. Our volunteers, along with Leah Fox, the director of the Florence/Lauderdale Animal Shelter have visited shelters in Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, and Gadsden and have learned a lot through their visits, along with visits with the state director, Mindy Gilbert. The planned building is now approximately 12,000 sq. ft. after having made significant changes from the original drawings. I know it’s taking time and money for the redrawings, but this is our “last shot” for the next 25 years. We want it to be the best it can possibly be. We are moving in the right direction. Our #1 goal is to get a floor plan that is workable and agreeable with everyone. This is our top priority and we have relayed this to our architects who have assured us that it is their top priority. The floor plan will drive everything else and we are determined to get that done as soon as possible.
Danny Pettus and the Lauderdale County Commission members have been briefed, the sight has been surveyed, the topographical maps are in place, and the sub-surface investigations have been done. The results are complete. We are moving forward!”
Media Release/City of Florence
