SARALAND, Ala. (WKRG) — A new mayor has been elected in Saraland for the first time in over a decade.

Joe McDonald is stepping into Howard Rubenstein's shoes, who has been the mayor of Saraland since 2011.

While Rubenstein is preparing to retire, McDonald is preparing to manage a growing city.

McDonald is a Saraland native who has served on the City Council since 2008, so he is no stranger to the growth of his hometown.

"I remember when K-Mart, where Rual King is now, was a dirt mound," McDonald recalled. "I used to run a bike up it."

Now, he gets to help Saraland grow as the city's next mayor.

"We are ready to keep the momentum going and keep moving forward in the city," he explained.

A few items on the expansion list for Saraland include a state-of-the-art Sportsplex, Chick-fil-A,

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