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	Council Hands Northridge Property Off to CDA Board June 5, 2012 After being tabled at the previous council meeting, the Northridge Shoppes property is now in the hands of the Commercial Development Authority. The council handed the development of the property off to the CDA by a 4-1 vote Monday night. The authority will assume responsibility for development of the property which was purchased by the current council approximately three years ago. The property was purchased at a cost of $1,200,000 in an effort to attract additional retail development for the city. The city has spent almost $300,000 in site preparation and improvements since acquiring the property. While most of the discussion has focused on the development of the Northridge property, the agreement between the City and the Commercial Development Authority is also outlines a redevelopment plan for the entire city and all current retail properties. The plan sets up a mechanism for the CDA to work with and assist retail property owners and businesses to offer them the same benefits that might be offered to potential new retailers. Arab Economic Development Director Sammy Waldrop told those present at the meeting that he wanted to clear up what he called rumors and innuendo regarding the CDA and the Northridge property. Waldrop said the CDA is not just interested in the Northridge development, but is actually working for the good of all the city. He cited a recent in depth study commissioned by the CDA to survey and analyze the current retail services and to identify "gap" areas that need to receive the future focus of the authority. Waldrop said the data is available to everyone. As an example, Waldrop said the study compared the Arab data with other cities with similar population demographics and identified 12 "gap" areas that could reasonably be addressed in order to bring new services and retail markets to the area. According to Waldrop filling these gap areas could potentially bring an additional $90 million in sales and 300 new jobs to the local market. The property transfer agreement had been carried over from the previous council meeting after councilman Johnny Hart moved to table the proposal for further study. Hart had several questions about the agreement Monday night and once again moved to table the proposal but the motion died when no one seconded the motion. Hart cast the no vote against the agreement. Hart told the council and the CDA that he was not against the CDA, but was concerned that the City was giving up all control of the property. In response to questioning by Hart, CDA Chairman, Alan Bagwell said the agreement under consideration, along with earlier ordinances had set-up the framework for the CDA to work with potential buyers and developers. "Basically we can negotiate and enter into agreements with interested businesses and can close the deal once all of the details are worked out." Bagwell said. The CDA would have the authority to negotiate the selling price, any property tax abatements, or other incentives necessary to close the deal so long as it was within the guidelines set by the council through the development agreement. He said that any development plans and zoning changes would have to be approved by the Planning Commission. Bagwell said, "The council would only consider a request for sales tax abatement should such a request be made by a developer." Waldrop said that about 100 other Alabama cities work with the commercial development authorities everyday to recruit commercial development. Hart told Waldrop that he thought the CDA was doing a good job but was concerned about turning total control of the property over to the CDA. Councilman Brian Bishop made the motion to adopt the ordinance with a second by councilman Chris McNeese. Council members Shumate, Bishop, McNeese, and Reeves voted in favor of the agreement with Hart voting no.

Council Hands Northridge
Property Off to CDA Board

June 5, 2012
After being tabled at the previous council meeting, the Northridge Shoppes property is now in the hands of the Commercial Development Authority. The council handed the development of the property off to the CDA by a 4-1 vote Monday night. The authority will assume responsibility for development of the property which was purchased by the current council approximately three years ago. The property was purchased at a cost of $1,200,000 in an effort to attract additional retail development for the city. The city has spent almost $300,000 in site preparation and improvements since acquiring the property.

While most of the discussion has focused on the development of the Northridge property, the agreement between the City and the Commercial Development Authority is also outlines a redevelopment plan for the entire city and all current retail properties. The plan sets up a mechanism for the CDA to work with and assist retail property owners and businesses to offer them the same benefits that might be offered to potential new retailers. Arab Economic Development Director Sammy Waldrop told those present at the meeting that he wanted to clear up what he called rumors and innuendo regarding the CDA and the Northridge property. Waldrop said the CDA is not just interested in the Northridge development, but is actually working for the good of all the city. He cited a recent in depth study commissioned by the CDA to survey and analyze the current retail services and to identify "gap" areas that need to receive the future focus of the authority. Waldrop said the data is available to everyone. As an example, Waldrop said the study compared the Arab data with other cities with similar population demographics and identified 12 "gap" areas that could reasonably be addressed in order to bring new services and retail markets to the area. According to Waldrop filling these gap areas could potentially bring an additional $90 million in sales and 300 new jobs to the local market.

The property transfer agreement had been carried over from the previous council meeting after councilman Johnny Hart moved to table the proposal for further study. Hart had several questions about the agreement Monday night and once again moved to table the proposal but the motion died when no one seconded the motion. Hart cast the no vote against the agreement.

Hart told the council and the CDA that he was not against the CDA, but was concerned that the City was giving up all control of the property. In response to questioning by Hart, CDA Chairman, Alan Bagwell said the agreement under consideration, along with earlier ordinances had set-up the framework for the CDA to work with potential buyers and developers. "Basically we can negotiate and enter into agreements with interested businesses and can close the deal once all of the details are worked out." Bagwell said. The CDA would have the authority to negotiate the selling price, any property tax abatements, or other incentives necessary to close the deal so long as it was within the guidelines set by the council through the development agreement. He said that any development plans and zoning changes would have to be approved by the Planning Commission. Bagwell said, "The council would only consider a request for sales tax abatement should such a request be made by a developer." Waldrop said that about 100 other Alabama cities work with the commercial development authorities everyday to recruit commercial development. Hart told Waldrop that he thought the CDA was doing a good job but was concerned about turning total control of the property over to the CDA.

Councilman Brian Bishop made the motion to adopt the ordinance with a second by councilman Chris McNeese. Council members Shumate, Bishop, McNeese, and Reeves voted in favor of the agreement with Hart voting no.