Since active redevelopment efforts began in downtown Decatur in 2010, investment in our community has skyrocketed.
Downtown redevelopment creates a powerful ripple effect—driving investment, creating jobs, increasing property values, attracting visitors and encouraging new residents. Decatur is seeing that impact firsthand, with more than $150 million invested in downtown since 2022. New and planned developments, including the $29M North Alabama STEM Center at Cook Museum, a new 500-space parking deck and 130-room hotel, new Calhoun Community College ballfields and residence halls, and additional residential and mixed-use development, are building on this momentum and positioning Downtown Decatur for continued growth and investment.
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The Decatur Downtown Redevelopment Authority has been instrumental in transforming the heart of our city, creating opportunities for growth while preserving its rich history. Through strategic planning, investment, and community collaboration, they are shaping a downtown where businesses flourish, residents connect, and new opportunities continue to emerge. At BCA, we’re honored to help partner in shaping a downtown that reflects the strength, character, and future of this great community.”
– Brandon Price, BCA General Contractors
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Due to the efforts of Senator Arthur Orr, the Alabama Center for the Arts Foundation has been on an aggressive mission to not only raise awareness for the ACA but also help ACA partners, Calhoun Community College and Athens State University, grow its footprint in downtown Decatur. Our first move was to buy a building to provide a pad-ready site for Senator Orr to pitch to Montgomery. That space at the corner of Johnston and 1st Ave. is now the home of ACA’s $15m dormitory. Next, we bought a portion of the Caddell, Harris law firm building and renovated it to be studios for the ACA’s Master of Fine Arts students and the ACA’s art library, another $1.2m investment in downtown Decatur. Our goal is to help the ACA flood downtown Decatur with young, vibrant assets (students) while helping Calhoun and Athens State meet their education fulfillment goals – a win/win.”
– Clint Shelton, ACAF Foundation President
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The DDRA has helped facilitate significant growth and development throughout downtown Decatur and we are grateful for the opportunity to extend the “Decatur hospitality” to our guests as momentum continues to build. The DDRA is a testimony to local business and government leaders taking responsibility for the positive future of their community, serving both existing businesses and those looking to join the movement.”
– Brian Cook, Cook Museum of Natural Science
With over $150M in investment completed over the last five years, Downtown Decatur has over $250M in planned developments announced.
$200M+
Investment Completed
$250M+_
Future Planned Investment
5,280
Jobs
404
Businesses
13,664
Daytime Population within 1 mile radius
$825,000+
Grants Awarded
70
New Residential Units
13+
Beautification Projects
4
New Higher Education Facilities
Data last updated 9/2026
Major projects completed since 2010 that are attracting thousands of people to downtown Decatur:
The Cook Museum of Natural Science
The $32.4 million, state-of-the-art Cook Museum of Natural Science opened in Downtown Decatur in June 2019, establishing a major educational and tourism anchor for the region. The museum continues to draw visitors, families and school groups to downtown, while its designation as the North Alabama STEM Center is bringing a significant new phase of growth. The planned expansion will nearly double the museum’s STEM classroom and programming capacity and add expanded exhibit and educational space, supported by a $9.5 million state investment and $20 million in private funding. The development also includes a new parking deck across 4th Avenue and plans for a neighboring hotel, creating a growing educational, tourism and hospitality district that will further strengthen Downtown Decatur as a regional destination.
The Alabama Center for the Arts is the region’s premier destination for visual and performing arts education, offering associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs through its partnership with Calhoun Community College and Athens State University. ACA students bring a unique energy and creative vibe to downtown Decatur, sharing their talents everywhere from formal performances at the ACA to Tuesday night karaoke downtown.
The Historic Decatur Union Depot and Railroad Museum welcomes thousands of visitors each year from across the country and around the world, offering a unique opportunity to experience Decatur’s rich railroad history, view extensive model train displays and watch trains from its outdoor viewing platform. The Depot has hosted visitors from 47 states and 22 foreign countries. Since 2023, the Depot has also reached a global virtual audience through Virtual Railfan, which provides 24/7 live views of Decatur’s active rail corridor. When the cameras were installed, Virtual Railfan reported approximately 400,000 subscribers worldwide and tens of millions of annual online views, putting Decatur’s railroad heritage in front of a global audience every day.
“The growth and accomplishments seen in Downtown Decatur from 2006 to today is simply amazing. We credit DDRA for spearheading, supporting, encouraging, and driving so much of the change Decatur was in desperate need of.”
-- Tom Counts, 3-GIS CEO
“The potential for a true revitalization of the historic downtown area was huge and energized us to want to be a part of it – part of something bigger than ourselves and allow us to support and encourage civic responsibility internally as well as externally with others in the community.”
