The city of Brundidge took another step in its long-range planning process with an open house Thursday.

As part of the process of developing and implementing a city plan, the South Central Alabama Development Commission (SCADC), led by Tracy Delaney, set up a series of stations that addressed certain elements of the city from economic development and housing to transportation and infrastructure.

“I’m very impressed with what I’ve seen,” said City Council member Cynthia Pearson.

“I have been attending some meetings, and I see they (SCADC) have made a lot of progress and listened to what the people have said.”

One of the biggest issues the people of Brundidge have voiced concern over is big-truck traffic through the downtown area.

“The problem is trucks turning,” said Darrell Skipper a consultant who has worked with the SCADC before.

Skipper referred to trucks turning at the intersection of Main Street and State Highway 10.

A short-term solution would be to re-route big rigs around Brundidge by way of Veterans Blvd., north of town.

That would significantly reduce the problem, and Skipper said the route could very well be implemented by the end of the year.

“Discussions with the Department of Transportation can start immediately as soon as the city adopts the strategy,” he said.

There would still be the problem however of trucks traveling east and west on Highway 10.

For that Skipper proposed a long term plan that would at some point involve construction of a bypass that would connect Highway 10 east of town to Main Street North of the city.

Delaney and Skipper also explained that the proposed development concept for Brundidge included a proposal to create a highway commercial corridor.

This would involve controlled development around Highway 231 that would encourage travelers to come into the city.

Delaney envisioned “gateway” commercial areas that let consumers know that Brundidge is close and has much to offer.

Residents visited the open house from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. discussing numerous issues and proposals and filling out comment and suggestion sheets.

That input will be analyzed by the SCADC and then worked into a presentation that will be given to the City Council May 4 at 3 p.m.