GADSDEN, Ala.– Gadsden Mayor Craig Ford says the city is on the verge of major growth — comparing its future to a bamboo tree preparing for a sudden surge.

During Tuesday night’s State of the City address, Ford told residents that while progress may have seemed slow in recent years, the groundwork has been laid for rapid development ahead.

To illustrate the point, the mayor brought a small bamboo tree on stage, explaining that bamboo spends years growing roots underground before suddenly shooting up — sometimes reaching ninety feet in just a few months.

Ford says Gadsden is now entering that growth phase.

The mayor announced ninety-one projects planned for the coming year, funded largely through a 140-million-dollar bond issue approved last year.

Major projects include development of Coosa Harbor, modeled after Guntersville’s city harbor, construction of a new downtown city hall, and a Gadsden Athletic Center designed to host a variety of sports activities.

Plans also call for a new fire station along the Coosa River, expanded walking and biking trails, and additional parks and playgrounds.

Ford says the city is also working to raise salaries for municipal employees — particularly firefighters and police officers — while providing first responders with upgraded equipment.

The mayor says residents should expect visible signs of progress soon, predicting cranes and construction activity across the city within the next several months.