Latest news with #TuscaloosaNationalAirport
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Northport approves zoning change for University Beach, despite objections
Despite a tidal-swelling crash of voices raised in often-stormy opposition, the Northport City Council voted 3-2 to continue paving a pathway for the $350 million University Beach development. Roughly 150 citizens, with media and others, overflowed council chambers in the Northport City Hall for the May 19 council meeting. Some were there to speak against proposed polling locations for the August elections, which opponents said could disenfranchise voters. Despite those voices, that resolution also passed the council. More: Northport sets date for opening of 36-acre River Run Park sports complex Heat rose during the second reading of the rezoning request and special district plan approval, for the 76.2-acre multi-use development, which is expected to include a 10-acre lagoon, water park, a hotel, dining, retail, residential facilities, and spaces for performance, rental events and a conference center. Aside from Texas-based developer Kent Donahue, who presented an animated model visualizing a walk-through of renderings, no one spoke in favor of University Beach. Several from the attending crowd stood up to speak against. After close of the public comment section, Glenda Webb, Northport city administrator, summarized constituents' concerns, which included: Disruption of nearby neighborhoods Drainage and potential flooding issues Concert volume, and its competition with Tuscaloosa's 8,000-seat Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater Increased traffic and other traffic issues Though the modified zoning prohibits certain establishments, the worry was raised that casinos were not among those, should Alabama at some point pass legalized gambling Airspace clearance for a potential seven-story hotel; the 76.2 acres are north of McFarland Boulevard and east of Harper Road, near Tuscaloosa National Airport. Murmurings, mutterings and exclamations of disbelief ran throughout the contentious hearing, with repeated urgings for the council to hear and respond to complaints and questions. Trouble with microphones and the PA system, making it difficult for all discussions to be heard, didn't help, though those tech issues were fixed toward the end. Bobby Johnson's lived in Northport about 57 years, he said, "... and I don't ever remember a council, to the extent this council has, not listening to the citizens." That drew a round of "Amens" and extended applause. "I would expect the Northport council to begin tonight, to start (listening to constituents), which you haven't done to this point, with this particular project," he said. Northport resident Tuffy Holland led opposing voices, speaking first, given generous leeway over the usual three-minute time limit by Christy Bobo, council president. Afterward, Holland said he wasn't surprised by the outcome, though he was pleased ― and, with some of the audience, momentarily hopeful ― on getting a second "No" vote, from councilor Anwar Aiken, who had expressed concerns about potential flooding issues. Councilor Jamie Dykes, the other "No" vote, had also expressed financial worries, and was pointed toward a feasibility study that she had not previously seen. Its figures, as outlined by Donahue, suggested Northport could see a $61 million tax impact in the first 10 years of University Beach, and a $254 million impact after another two decades, generating $1 billion total tax revenue over those 30 years. Donahue's figures on the plan outlined a 2,000-person concert venue, 30,000 square-foot convention center and 1,400 linear feet of water park with lazy river and wave pool, creating more than 600 permanent jobs working to greet 600,000 visitors over its first year. Holland noted residents had sued to see such studies, which Webb said the city had recently received. Because she also had just heard about councilor Dykes raised tabling the motion, given that not everyone had had time to digest the fiscal feasibility figures. Webb said there was a legal avenue, but as councilors Karl Wiggins and Woodrow Washington had just previously made and seconded the motion to vote on the approval, the change would involve another bit of wrangling. It was left up to the two councilors to decide if they would rescind and consider the tabling motion. They did not choose to do so. The "Yes" votes by councilors Bobo, Washington and Wiggins carried the motion. In April, the Northport planning and zoning commission had heard the proposal, but did not give it a favorable recommendation. Regardless, with the council's passing in spite of the commission's concerns, the acreage will transform from C6/highway commercial to a special district, giving the developers easier access to build on the property without having to seek council approval multiple times. "I didn't expect anything more," Holland said after the council meeting was adjourned. " ... but I thought maybe the upcoming (Aug. 26) election might have played on somebody's, one of their, consciousness, but obviously it doesn't." There are more avenues for opponents of the plan to pursue, he added, including more legal work, though he hoped it wouldn't come to that. Reach Mark Hughes Cobb at This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Northport moves forward with $350 million University Beach development
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tuscaloosa will use $296K SEEDS grant to attract more businesses
Every investment requires seed money, and the Tuscaloosa County Economic Development Authority can continue laying groundwork with a recently-announced $296,000 grant, through Alabama's SEEDS (Site Evaluation and Economic Development Strategy) program. The funds will be used for environmental studies, geotechnical analysis and infrastructure planning near the Tuscaloosa National Airport, and its nearby industrial park. This grant is the largest such awarded through the State Industrial Development Authority, TCEDA said. Businesses seeking to move here want to know the footing is solid, so SEEDS money will help provide specifications, to lay foundations for long-term success, said Steven Rumsey, TCEDA board chair. 'By conducting thorough site assessments, we can provide prospective industries with the confidence they need to invest here," Rumsey said in a written release. More: Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox looks to the future as he begins sixth term TCEDA will begin SEEDS work with engineers, environmental specialists, and site consultants at the 1,000-acre Tuscaloosa County Airport Industrial Park, and a more recently defined 390 acres along the Black Warrior River, adjacent to Tuscaloosa National Airport. The industrial park, begun in the 1980s, is currently home to 17 domestic and international investments, employing more than 1,600 people. The other 390 acres should be extra attractive to development, TCEDA said, thanks to local and state-funded efforts to improve the airport's runway, construct a cargo terminal, and renovate and expand the existing terminal. Tuscaloosa area leaders echoed the importance of site preparation. 'Economic development starts with having the right sites ready for investment. This grant will allow us to proactively prepare for the future and make Tuscaloosa an even more attractive destination for industry and job creation," said Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox. 'The ability to provide ready‐to‐develop sites is a key factor in attracting new businesses andexpanding existing ones," said Rob Robertson, Tuscaloosa County probate judge, and commission chairman. "This investment will strengthen our ability to recruit high‐quality industries, benefiting Northport and the entire Tuscaloosa County region," said John Hinton, Northport mayor. Incorporated in 1975 as the Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority ― the board adopted the new name in 2021 ― it was among the major players in Project Rosewood, created to lure Mercedes-Benz to Alabama. The 1993 selection of Vance in Tuscaloosa County was a come-from-behind victory that's created billions in local and regional investment. That coup also jump-started the auto industry in Alabama, which since Mercedes-Benz has landed Honda, Hyundai, Mazda-Toyota plants. The Mercedes-Benz U.S. Internationa plant has also drawn numerous satellite supply industries and become the second-largest employer in the county after the University of Alabama, at 4,500 and 6,839 jobs, respectively. TCEDA provides potential investors with site location data, including available places and buildings, and can also assist with information on financing, incentives, employee training, and quality of life. For more about TCEDA and the Tuscaloosa County Industrial Park, see Reach Mark Hughes Cobb at This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: How a $296K grant will help lure industries to Tuscaloosa County
