By day, Dennis Madsen spends his time thinking about the places that define Huntsville’s character and future.

Little did he know that his expertise as the city’s manager of Urban and Long-Range Planning would come into play for a board game.

Next year, the Rocket City will be the setting for Monopoly: Huntsville Edition and Madsen was on hand – with Mr. Monopoly, Uncle Pennybags – to make the announcement.

“Huntsville is taking its rightful place among the Monopoly crowd,” he said at a news conference Tuesday in the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Placemaking is about creating communities that people recognize, connect with and take pride in, and there may be no more recognizable celebration of place than having your own Monopoly board.”

Hasbro licensee Top Trumps USA is seeking well-established Huntsville businesses and nonprofits to be part of this one-of-a-kind tribute which will debut in March.

To ensure the board captures the most essential elements of Huntsville, the company is seeking recommendations from the public about which locations should be included as squares on the board.

“This is a blank canvas,” said Top Trumps USA executive Sarah Bowman. “Think of actual properties in Huntsville where you ‘pass go.’ Where do you take your kids on weekends or go on date night?

“Think of parks, museums, attractions, sports teams.”

The Huntsville edition will include a customized “Community Chest” and “Chance” playing cards, and Monopoly money, Bowman said, with each detail of the game paying homage to the Huntsville community.

“A card could be ‘You’re stuck in 565 traffic. Move back four spaces’,” she said.

During the news conference, Bowman, Madsen and Mr. Monopoly were flanked by Monopoly’s trademark property cards with the Orion Amphitheater, U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville Botanical Garden and Von Braun Center in place of St. Charles Place, Oriental Avenue, Marvin Gardens and Kentucky Avenue.

“It’s exciting to see those same landmarks, destinations and community assets become part of a game that has introduced generations of people to the idea that places matter,” Madsen said. “We look forward to seeing how Huntsville’s story is told through Monopoly.”

Public submissions and business inquiries can be sent to Huntsville@toptrumps.com for consideration.

Monopoly: Huntsville Edition will be available in stores and online at retail partners, including Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and select local Huntsville retailers.

To learn more about other Monopoly city experience boards, visit us.toptrumps.com.

So, get ready to buy amazing sites, make the highest bids on each property, build houses and hotels, and become the richest citizen in Huntsville.

Pick your favorite token and roll the dice.