The Ditto Landing Events Center project is moving forward, and the Huntsville City Council continues to provide aid to the project in the southernmost area of the city.

At its most recent bi-monthly regular meeting, the council voted to give over $1 million to Grayson Carter & Son to complete the third phase of the Tennessee River Greenway from Hobbs Island Road to Green Cove Road.

Shane Davis, director of urban and economic development for Huntsville, told the council the last phase is the “missing link’’ of a project that has been developing for years.

“Once completed,’’ he said of the greenway, “it actually provides a 15-mile loop on the west end and east sides of South Memorial Parkway.”

The Madison County Commission initially supported the event center project by giving Lee Builders the go-ahead to start construction earlier this year.

The project includes renovating the 20,000-square-foot State Docks warehouse into the event center on a 2.5-acre site.

The site includes space for at least one restaurant with seating for up to 600 people. The center will be multi-use for events, including indoor concerts with a capacity of 1,100.

Jennie Robinson, city council president and representative of District 3, said interest in the greenway had much support.

“This was one of the items people were really focused on when they were looking at the big greenway map,’’ she said. “It’s such a crucial piece to complete this, and everyone will be very excited, the biking community in particular.”

The 1.5-mile project will connect Elgie’s Greenway to Ditto Landing, where the county is constructing the $13.2 million event center with help from the City of Huntsville.

Improvement funds

Council members were active in awarding money to various city projects and businesses from discretionary pools.

District 2 representative David Little:

* $15,000.00 – Appropriation to Huntsville Ballet to provide funding for performances, education, and outreach programs.

* $75,000.00 – Appropriation to HEALS, Inc. to support the delivery of medical, dental, and optometry care to impoverished children in Huntsville.

District 3 representative Jennie Robinson:

* $5,000.00 – Appropriation to Huntsville Ballet to provide funding for performances, education, and outreach programs.

District 4 representative Bill Kling:

* $5,000.00 – Appropriation to Downtown Huntsville, Inc. to provide funding for promotional expenses.

* $5,000.00 – Appropriation to the North Alabama Railroad Museum, Inc. to provide funding for facility repairs and support complimentary railroad train rides for the community.

* $5,000.00 – Appropriation to the Fraternal Order of Police Foundation to provide funding for the Fallen Officer Memorial service.

District 5 representative John Meredith:

* $6,000.00 – Appropriation to Columbia High School Wrestling to provide financial support for equipment and participation fees.

* $5,000.00 – Appropriation to The Schools Foundation to support principals, teachers, and students in Huntsville City Schools.

Buckbee honored

Among city residents honored at the meeting was retired Marshall Space Flight Center and NASA veteran Edward Buckbee.

He began working for both institutions in 1961 and worked in public affairs with astronauts from the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo space programs. He was also a significant leader in museum education in Huntsville. In 1970, Buckbee was elected by Wernher von Braun to be the first director of the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, the world’s largest space museum.

Before retiring in 1994, in pursuit of bringing von Braun’s vision to life, he founded the enormously successful U.S. Space Camp in 1982 and Aviation Challenge in 1990.

The council proclamation further stated he continues to impact the community by organizing and hosting numerous space anniversary events that honor astronauts, including John Glenn, Alan Shepard, Alan Bean, and Gene Cernan, as well as significant space programs like the celebration of America’s first space station, Skylab.

Buckbee was recognized for his contributions to space exploration and museum education. His achievements, the proclamation read, have made a lasting impact on the City of Huntsville, ensuring his legacy will long be remembered and admired.