Council Eyes Northport Community Center Site For New Retail Development

NORTHPORT, AL — The Northport City Council on Monday will vote to authorize a deal for Beeker Property Group to purchase the Northport Community Center and redevelop the property.

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According to Monday's council meeting agenda, the site would then be intended for a new retail development at Lurleen B. Wallace Boulevard and Park Street. Due to a measure passed in the 1990s, it will require a unanimous vote of the City Council to sell the property.

District 4 Councilwoman Jamie Dykes told Patch that she and city staff met with a developer and broker at the International Council of Shopping Centers conference in Las Vegas who said Starbucks specifically wanted that location.

She then said the information was given to Council President Jeff Hogg and District 1 Councilwoman and Council Pro Tem Christy Bobo for consideration by the Council's Retail Committee.

"Next, I was told was that Beeker was interested in that location for a nice, sit-down restaurant and retail and townhomes, Dykes said.

Bobo told Patch that the city has been looking for ways to beautify and open up gateway areas to Northport, as well as spaces along the riverfront.

"All credit to Councilwoman Dykes is due for speaking with developers in Las Vegas on one of her city trips there with former Mayor Herndon," Bobo said. "Upon return from one of the last trips they took, she shared that she had met a gentleman who had a big idea to open retail that would capture citizens as they exit Northport toward Tuscaloosa."

Bobo said this seemed like a well-thought out initiative, but the value of the current green space was considered and a conversation had with Friends of Historic Northport where City Administrator Glenda Webb was able to gauge interest.

"Friends of Historic Northport embraced the idea and agreed that the current historical buildings would need to be preserved and moved to a more welcoming area that will greet visitors coming into Northport," Bobo said. "I have only heard positivity and enthusiasm over the potential project so far. Ensuring every criteria can be met, we issued a (Request for Proposals) publicly to which developers responded with ideas."

Bobo then explained that the agenda item for Monday addressing the property is to grant an allowance of 180 days for the highest scoring developer to present ideas to council for development of the property.

"Preserving our history is of utmost importance," Bobo said. "Both Councilman Woodrow Washington, whose district the property resides in, and I — because of the close proximity to District 1 — have made special requests for preserving the community’s needs for meeting space and beautification. And both Councilman Washington and I have been promised that there will be no loss of space for citizens who currently meet for civic dances and musical gatherings."

Bobo went on to say City Administrator Glenda Webb has offered to open city hall for occasions and to work with a couple of other existing spaces to provide alternatives while a new space is built for the community.

"Change is never easy. But nothing good ever came to me through ease," she said. "I’m looking forward to our future and to preserving our history while increasing services available to our community. I’m thankful that Councilwoman Dykes had an idea and the courage to explore it."

The utility of the Northport Community Center, which is owned by Northport and operated by Tuscaloosa County Park & Recreation Authority (PARA), is one of the key points of opposition.

Indeed, Erin Fernandez Wiggins is opposed to the redevelopment of the property and lamented the loss of the center, which is regularly booked months in advance for events such as family reunions and line-dancing classes.

This is also not the first the time such a measure has been proposed, with groups like Friends of Historic Northport opposing a measure in 2015 that would have impacted the green space of the surrounding park.

Instead, Wiggins hopes for a renewed focus along the riverfront and said she has encouraged Northport officials to consider impactful developments such as the Cotton District in Starkville, Mississippi — an entertainment district featuring Greek Revival architecture, restaurants, bars and other smaller retail offerings.

"The building gets used all the time by families," Wiggins told Patch. "It stays booked a year in advance for family reunions."

Council President Jeff Hogg said following the RFP process, Beeker’s proposal scored the highest and the Council will now consider granting approval to allow the firm a due diligence period of 180 days for Beeker to bring a master plan for the site.

"If sold, the money obtained will be used to establish a new community center that is bigger and better for our citizens," Hogg told Patch.

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