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For the first time in 40 years, Huntsville is drawing up a citywide master plan to help shape the future. (File photo)

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - For the first time in 40 years, Huntsville is drawing up a master plan to help shape the city's future.

And Mayor Tommy Battle says he wants your input.

The master planning process gets under way at 6 p.m. Tuesday with a public kick-off event in the auditorium of First Baptist Church, 600 Governors Drive. Over the next 18 months, there will be many other opportunities to comment - both in person and online -- about what should be included in the plan.

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle. (Eric Schultz / eschultz@al.com)

During a Thursday news conference, Battle said the citywide master plan will address a little bit of everything: reviving older neighborhoods and struggling retail areas; meeting the needs of young professionals and empty nesters; being properly wired for an increasingly digital world; where to put future parks and greenways; growing in a sustainable way.

"You can't get to where you need to go without having a plan," said Battle. "This is an overarching plan that ties everything together."

Dennis Madsen, the city's director of urban and long-range planning, is leading the master plan effort. The city will roll out a website and mobile app in the coming days so residents can participate remotely, he said.

There will also be a series of "citizen academies" this summer on specific issues such as how to make better use of Huntsville's riverfront.

Battle promised to revamp the city's master plan when running for re-election in 2012. What's put down on paper will have to be updated regularly as Huntsville evolves, he said.

"One of my mantras is, 'Always be ready for change,'" said Battle. "It's the only constant."