Melt, Common House, Slag Heap Brewery and Edgar's Bakery are among the first businesses to sign on to be a part of the revitalization of downtown Trussville.

Developer Coby Lake, who recently sold Avondale Brewery and other properties in Birmingham's Avondale neighborhood, said he is purchasing 13 parcels in downtown and plans to open a 22,000-square-foot brewery in Trussville. He said he is in talks with seven other businesses about locating downtown.

Trussville Mayor Buddy Choat spoke about the master plan for downtown during a Trussville Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Thursday.

He said it will be 12 to 24 months before the project is completed.

Through a public-private partnership, Choat said downtown is being redeveloped into a walkable, more attractive and family-friendly entertainment destination. The first phase will take place in the Morrow Avenue and Beech Street corridors.

"This is really what the community has been lacking," he said. "We have the big box shopping. We have restaurants. We have interstate access. We did not have a walkable downtown, shopping and entertainment area for our residents and guests who want to come from other parts of the Birmingham area."

He said the city is investing in the infrastructure, including the installation of sidewalks and new lighting. The intersection at Highway 11 and Chalkville Road in downtown Trussville will be realigned to ease traffic congestion, Choat said.

The city also plans to build a pavilion and stage tentatively called Pinchgut Pavilion (after Pinchgut Creek) at the end of Morrow Avenue.

Nearby will be Common House restaurant and another brewery off Morrow Avenue, he said.

Choat said construction is expected to start soon on an Edgar's Bakery in the former location of the Sticks and Stuff furniture store at 156 Main Street.

Another 2,000 square feet of adjacent retail space will also be constructed, he said.

The former Braden's Furniture location on Main Street will be redeveloped as part of the project.

Slag Heap Brewery is preparing to open in the former ice plant at 227 Main Street, said co-owner Joe Meadows.

"It is a perfect fit for us," he said, of downtown Trussville. He said he and his business partner want to be a part of the growth of the city.

Lake said he wanted to be a part of creating a walkable, urban center in Trussville.

"My passion is to take underdeveloped or forgotten areas and turn them into something that the community can be proud of," he said.

Lake said the city of Trussville contacted him about investing in downtown.

"I will be able to achieve more, I think, in Trussville then I was in Avondale just because of my working relationship with the city, mayor and city council," he said.