Historic Downtown Northport, Alabama, Undergoes Major Infrastructure Changes and Development
Historic Downtown Northport, Alabama, is experiencing significant infrastructure developments and changes. Main Avenue, between 5th and 10th Streets, is undergoing a rebuild of its road, parking, lighting, and sidewalks, a project funded 80% federally and 20% by the city through the Tuscaloosa Area MPO, which was still under construction in August 2026. Additionally, the Woolsey Finnell Bridge, connecting Northport and Tuscaloosa, is slated for replacement, with a $167 million contract awarded in October 2026 and construction expected to begin in early 2027, potentially lasting up to four years. The Kentuck Festival of the Arts, a long-standing event in Northport, moved to Snow Hinton Park in Tuscaloosa in 2024 and is scheduled to remain there through 2039. Northport is also considering new short-term rental rules, with a council vote anticipated in November 2026.