TARCOG-area officials turned out Wednesday, Nov. 12, for a Lunch & Learn in Huntsville to find out more about the services provided by DesignAlabama.
DesignAlabama Executive Director Gina Glaze Clifford, and Taylor Pruett, administrative assistant, met with representatives from the City of Arab, Town of Gurley, City of Madison, and TARCOG at the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce.
TARCOG Executive Director Michelle Gilliam Jordan, who also serves as president of the DesignAlabama Board of Directors, said she was excited to invite area leaders to learn more about the unique services the nonprofit provides and new ways TARCOG can play a role in planning for local communities.
Gina explained that DesignAlabama’s programs foster engagement among civic leaders, citizens, and design professionals. For communities interested in participating, the first step is for the mayor to apply to the Mayors Design Summit.
These annual events bring together five mayors from the state for two days to address a design issue in their community. There is no cost to participate other than individual travel expenses. Each selected mayor gives a 10-minute presentation on their city and its design issue and is encouraged to bring any relevant maps, photos, renderings, or other materials, Gina said. They are also paired with a design professional beforehand that will help them prepare their presentation for the summit.
Over the course of the summit, the mayors work alongside six design professionals in a roundtable setting to develop solutions. The ideas generated during this collaborative time can then be taken back to each community as a starting point for a future project. The deadline to apply for the 2026 Mayors Design Summit is April 1, Gina said.
DesignAlabama also offers other programs and events, including DesignDash, DesignVision, and DesignPlace.
DesignDash is a one-day, fast-paced design session that brings community members and design professionals together to focus on a specific site planning or design issue. A facilitator leads discussions throughout the event.
DesignVision is a two-day community visioning workshop held in partnership with Auburn University’s Urban Studio. The workshops align with the Urban Studio’s fall curriculum and center on community-oriented planning and design goals.
DesignPlace involves three-day intensive visits from DesignAlabama professionals who provide design, planning, and community identity assistance. These teams include experts in architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, graphic design, interior design, and planning—highlighting how design arts contribute to successful community development.
During the visit, DesignPlace professionals survey the community, review identified issues, meet with local leaders and groups, develop recommendations, and outline strategies for implementation. Two DesignPlace programs are held each year, and communities are selected through an application process. The application deadline is April 1.
There are administrative fees ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 for each program, plus travel and additional equipment costs when applicable.
“We are always happy to talk with anyone interested in learning more about our process,” Gina said.
For more information, contact TARCOG’s Economic Development & Planning staff at 256-830-0818, visit www.designalabama.org, or call 334-549-4672.
DesignAlabama presentation to TARCOG area officials on Nov. 12.
DesignAlabama Executive Director Gina Glaze Clifford talks about services offered to municipalities by the nonprofit.
Among attendees at a DesignAlabama Lunch & Learn held on Nov. 12 in Huntsville included Katie Bottoms Jones, executive administrator/communications for the Arab Mayor Bob Joslin’s office, and Gurley Mayor Stan Simpson shown discussing possibilities for their towns.
DesignAlabama Board of Director’s President and TARCOG Executive Director Michelle Gilliam Jordan talks about creative ways TARCOG can assist city’s with planning challenges.