Avondale Mills in Sylacauga one step closer to new life with cleanup contract approved

The former Avondale Mills property in Sylacauga could soon see some changes after the Talladega County Board of Education approved a contract to begin debris removal on the property.

In 2006, Avondale Mills closed in Sylacauga. A fire in 2011 erupted on the property, leaving significant damage.

"Right now it's a blight. It looks like a war zone," said Kelvin Cunningham, Talladega County Schools Operations Director. Talladega County Schools have owned the property since 2017.

New life is on the horizon for the property through the East Alabama Rural Innovation and Training Hub, also known as EARTH. The hub is aimed at workforce development and business growth by working with students and adults in the region.

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"Not all of our children are going to go to college, so they can learn skills and trades in this program," said Cunningham. "Not just Talladega County but it is going to span beyond Talladega County. We believe in regional partners."

In addition to the training center, a football stadium and a practice facility for B.B. Comer High School are also in the plans for the 30-acre property.

Cunningham explained two studies of the property have been conducted since the project was announced last year to determine what was there and what needed to be removed.

"Monday, our board of education voted to award a contract to a contractor to do debris removal from the old Avondale property," he said.

The $1.1. million contract would include moving wood, bricks, and other materials from the property. Demolishing a building that's partially torn down is another goal.

Contractors have 160 days to start the process.

"I'm just ready to see it cleaned up," said Hunter Floyd with Ronnies Produce.

Ronnies Produce has been around for 17 years. Many of those years have been spent across from the Avondale property.

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"There are so many animals over there that it's unreal. Not including the people that go in over there, steal what little bit is out there, do their drugs, and whatnot. All the homeless people that stay in there," said Floyd. "There's a lot of stuff that goes on over there that people don't see."

He's ready for something more positive, like EARTH.

"They need something like that. Everybody needs something like that. I think it's great."

The district is also applying for brownfield grants through the EPA. If approved, that funding would help remove what's left in the soil and any additional cleanup needed. Cunningham said the grant would be around a million dollars.