JPA Executive Director Resigns

Ask Dan Cleckler about his last six years as the JPA Executive Director and he will tell you it comes down to two major accomplishments. The first is the adoption of the McClellan Master Plan. The Master Plan was an 18-month process of public hearings, planning, revisions, more public hearings, and more revisions. It looked at all aspects and options for the 18,000 acre former military base, folding together the traffic plan, reuse of existing structures, options for new developments, and public comments into a master plan that designated areas for educational, industrial, research, residential and retail. Dan emphasized that the master plan needed to be adaptable to accommodate changing needs, but since adoption of the master plan in early 2003 there have been very few alterations; a good indication of the thoroughness and foresight of the plan.

The completion of the master plan was key to the second major accomp-lishment of Dan’s tenure as Executive Director; that of early transfer.McClellan was the first army base to complete early transfer, and the first military base with unexploded ordinance issues to be transferred. The US Army and the McClellan JPA have spent nearly $14 million on environmental cleanup including addressing landfill and groundwater issues, and the cleanup of nearly 100 years accumulation of unexploded ordinance (UXO). The pace of cleanup is about to dramatically increase as preliminary work on UXO issues nears completion and actual cleanup can move forward. Cleanup work along Bains Gap road has been completed and work has begun on Iron Mountain Road; the former provides access to the Choccolocco Valley west of McClellan and the latter will provide access from McClellan’s industrial area to the Eastern Bypass and Interstate 20.

Although there is much UXO work left to be done, the completion of the master plan and early transfer have allowed for significant progress in the redevelopment of the old base.

Since 2001, nearly $90 million have been invested in capital improvements, and $9 million in real estate sales have occurred. McClellan is home to over 300 families and 3,000 people are currently employment here, both figures have doubled in just the past 2½ years. The JPA contributes $272,000 each year to local governments for fire and police protection and payments to the city, county, and local school systems.

It is easy to list a number of changes around McClellan during Dan’s tenure. Music at McClellan is preparing for its 4^th season. The venue has been popular from the start, even with the challenges of the first season when performances were presented on a temporary stage on the old parade grounds. Parking was limited, but concert goers climbed on shuttle buses with little complaint, even when the second concert occurred after a deluge that left the parade grounds a quagmire. Good natured folks pitched in to move lumber and building supplies from the Buckner Center’s gymnasium and the concert moved inside to a packed house In year two the venue moved to Longleaf Park where it will stay in 2007 But there may be one more move for the Longleaf Series with the rediscovery of the Montieth Amphitheater Funding for renovation has been received by Calhoun County and work may soon begin.

The Longleaf Festival will make its third appearance in the old warehouse district bringing environmental education, live music, plant sales, Native American demonstrations and much more. This spring festival is always scheduled on or near Earth Day and is an event geared for the whole family. The first Fall Fest was held in October 2006 and is likely to be added to the list of must-do events in Northeast Alabama.

Last summer saw the Saturday Market come to McClellan. In short order this event drew around 20 vendors and a steady stream of shoppers. The outdoor market gave local farmers, artists and crafts people a peaceful setting and an appreciative clientele for their wares.

The Buckner Center completed a $2 million renovation and now houses a first class restaurant, art gallery with changing exhibits, and a theater that specializes in independent films.

The 9,000 acre Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge was established in 2003 preserving the last remaining old growth stands and the best remaining mountain longleaf pine forests in the Southeast.

Maybe not so obvious to the casual observer has been the growth of business and industry at McClellan. AmPro has become a world class supplier of custom thermoplastic injection molding and provides parts to most major automobile manufacturers, the aerospace industry, appliance makers, even medical and military equipment manufacturers. Howard Core, a premier manufacturer of violins, has relocated to McClellan in a move that will allow expansion of the company. The Center for Domestic Preparedness has established a training center at McClellan. It has been so successful that expansion of the program has already occurred. Still pending are moves by Intellimed Solutions and the possible relocation of government administrative offices.

The homes around Buckner Circle, Drennen Drive, and Cane Creek are once again occupied and well tended. Renovation of the first home in the Summerall area is nearing completion, with several other homes soon to follow. Casey Estates, with 49 apartments for seniors, is expected to open in June. The City of Anniston has built soccer fields and a sports complex and operates an 18-hole golf course. Several area churches have found new homes at McClellan, including the Grace Fellowship Community Church that is renovating the Centurion Chapel and Anniston’s First Baptist Church the built a new 3,000-seat facility in the Cane Creek area.

Jacksonville State, Gadsden State, and Auburn all have satellite campuses that have each expanded facilities and programs since moving to McClellan. Even younger students can find a place at the JSU childcare center and Sacred Heart Catholic School.

“There are probably others I have missed”, Dan tells me. “It has been a great six years and I am proud of our accomplishments; and the best is yet to come,” he adds.

Dan Cleckler recently announced his resignation as the JPA Executive Director. In his resignation letter, he wrote “I will miss not being a part of this bright future, but now is the time for some fresh energy and some new ideas.”

To read the resignation letter of Jan 16, 2007.