TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The City of Tuscaloosa will rename Alberta Park and a nearby roadway in honor of late City Council President Kip Tyner, recognizing his nearly three decades of service to the city and the Alberta community.
Mayor Walt Maddox announced Monday evening that Alberta Park will become Kip Tyner Plaza, while 26th Avenue East will be renamed Kip Tyner Parkway. The announcement came during a public Celebration of Life and Service for Tyner at the fountain at Alberta Park.
Tyner died Sept. 18 at age 70. He was first elected to represent District 5 on the Tuscaloosa City Council in 1997 and was serving his seventh consecutive term and his second as council president at the time of his death.
“Kip’s heart and soul is in this park,” Maddox said while announcing the honorary names. “I know we will all miss our friend dearly, but we will continue to tell Mr. Tyner’s stories of service and remember how much better he made Alberta.”
Tyner’s tenure included work on several projects in Alberta, including development of the Tuscaloosa Tennis Center, recruitment of SWJ Technology and improvements along University Boulevard East and Juanita Drive.
He also played a prominent role in efforts to rebuild Alberta following the April 27, 2011, tornado. In announcing Tyner’s death earlier this month, Maddox credited him with helping lead the redevelopment of a community where the city says the tornado devastated 65% of the area.
A Tuscaloosa native, Tyner graduated from Tuscaloosa High School and the University of Alabama, where he earned a journalism degree. He was also an advocate for animal welfare and chaired the Tuscaloosa Metro Animal Shelter Advisory Committee.
The city has not announced when signs and other changes associated with Kip Tyner Plaza and Kip Tyner Parkway will be completed. Officials said additional details on the timing will be released later.