Five Points has seen an upsurge in events, reinvestment in older homes, and commercial growth as a result of a wave of intense re-urbanization to the area.

The area has changed dramatically over the years, but economic and real estate investment in the area has never been higher, prompting interesting questions as to the appeal of the burgeoning area.

The Huntsville Business Journal recently sat down with local representatives and officials to discuss the Five Points area and its explosive growth.

According to Dennis Madsen, Manager of Long-Range and Urban Planning and long-time resident of the area, one of the key characteristics of the Five Points district is the term “re-urbanization”.

Re-urbanization, from a public policy perspective, refers to the movement of people back into an area that has been previously undervalued. Re-urbanization is usually a government’s initiative to counter the problem of inner city decline

Madsen said that the first ten years his family lived in the area, they could probably count on one hand how many new houses were coming up.

Five Point’s historic Star Market, which has been a feature of the community since 1944

“It’s going gangbusters, I think,” Madsen said. “A common thing, not just with Five Points is that as cities re-urbanize, you’re seeing more folks appreciate the value of living in the core.”

As a result of re-urbanization, Madsen explained, people have become more flexible in terms of prices and subdivision, “in part driven by the schools, but in part driven by the fact that you’re a 30 second drive from downtown, you’re close to employment, you’re close to attractions, and it starts to make sense.”

Huntsville City Council President David Little, Director of Urban and Economic Development Shane Davis, and Madsen all agreed that the progress of development in downtown has expanded out, resulting in the success of neighboring communities like Five Points.

“What we’ve added downtown, the gravitational pull of people wanting to live closer to it and businesses wanting to be part of it,” Davis said.

Davis further described downtown development as a “light little nudge and then the wheels just turn a little faster, downhill and, once you get over the top, it goes well.”

In addition to being home to a historic residential district, having a strong single-family home proponent, and being “ground zero” for Trick-or-Treaters, the area has a nice commercial core near Pratt Avenue and Andrew Jackson Way. The development of The Stella at Five Points will be introducing 220 more residential units as well as 22k sq. ft. of retail space, which is expected to attract more small businesses.

Anchor tenants of the area include Star Market, which is a historic grocery store and pharmacy serving the community since 1944. Within walking distance of many of the revitalized streets of Five Points, Star Market includes Huntsville-famous Terry’s Pizza. Other important tenants include traditional food scene Tavern 1892 and newcomers The Curry Modern Indian restaurant.

Five Point’s PorchFest has become a staple for community entertainment in the area

Other amenities in Five Points include new curbs, streetlights, sewer lines, pocket parks, Maple Hill, a historic cemetery with many mature trees offering tours and occasionally hosting events, and phase one of a drainage improvement plan.

“A sometimes underappreciated amenity is Maple Hill. And after a while, established cemeteries stop being just cemeteries and become functional parks. People go in there; they’re useful,” Madsen said.

According to Davis, Five Points has a culture of unity, with the appeal of a smalltown “everybody-knows-everybody” dynamic.

Five Points also has its hands in downtown arts and entertainment development, with examples like the annual PorchFest, a free outdoor music festival. Since its debut in May 2021 starting out as an “under-ground jam session” PorchFest has added vibrancy in the neighborhood turning front porches into stages and yards into audiences.

“It’s become something really unique and really cool,” Davis said.

When Pratt Avenue closes for PorchFest, Little, Shane, and Davis agreed that the event draws a vibrant crowd from all across town, promoting business in the area.

Overall, Five Points is another local gem experiencing dramatic growth and quality of life improvements, which leaves little imagination why the area is seeing population and business growth.