CULLMAN, Ala. – A social media post by Cullman Daily on Wednesday depicting the closing of Swafford Road is inaccurate, according to the City of Cullman.
“A rendering of a proposed shopping center development by Alumni Properties at the intersection of Swafford and Cherokee Avenue included a proposed rendering showing the road closed from Cherokee Avenue to West Main Avenue to accommodate the development,” the City said in a statement. “The City of Cullman has no plans to close Swafford Road and the Alumni Properties Managing Partner/CEO/President Keith Owens says he is not requesting closure of the road.”
According to the statement, Owens met with the Cullman City Council and Cullman County Commission last month to share more detailed information on the proposed development that has been in the planning states for several years. Development plans submitted to the local government officials do not match the social media rendering Cullman Daily shared.
“I have no intention of asking that Swafford Road be closed,” Owens said. “I will request the City consider improvements to the roadway with the projected traffic increase.”
Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs said Swafford Road absolutely will not be closed for the development, sharing, “That is an important city street connector and the city council and I can assure you permanent closing is not on the table. Swafford will remain open.”
Cullman County Commission Chairman Jeff Clemons said the renderings Owens shared with the county commission did not show a Swafford Road closure.
“There was no mention on that to us,” Clemons said.
There are often multiple iterations of a site plan before a final design is presented.
