[{"_1":2,"_75":-5,"_76":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6214542,"mediaKeyId","3666745-ed95831837a8c5ad5d8878eddc3db500","parentId",3666745,"title","Tuscaloosa council directs city attorney to draft ordinance for Sports Illustrated‑branded resort after contentious public hearing","audioSeconds",5725,"startMs",61280,"endMs",5786690,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3666745-ed95831837a8c5ad5d8878eddc3db500&start=61&end=5786","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3666745-ed95831837a8c5ad5d8878eddc3db500/thumbnail_61280.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6214542/Tuscaloosa-City/Tuscaloosa-County/Alabama/Tuscaloosa-council-directs-city-attorney-to-draft-ordinance-for-Sports-Illustratedbranded-resort-after-contentious-public-hearing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214542-97a8c171db2e7d9e05842637afbd16df/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198755&Signature=etWY6q43HRzxIhMSB9Gi8gvnAwj~4nvBSWaZtbAslnoLGPDox0Pf2~hTwEu6q2mJ3gZkKwjVn0XWE5BCTfnPqRaZM3cLyS9M8Qrr~EWHAicOQpojF1hnIrApxMc8SIZ5LVZLun9NFUCGUZEko-6~OCk5jzCUKAOgMaklDGL24o3PujSfP1gqn6eaj0y5SoYyAA9~jTrkK6boIx5BJSGkQT~pLJNOeFJwrBqfs7fG-0Q3LyrKopjDfuILvHWBkKBCOD9YDzHWEcCEB5ayzslaaYFc6BoLuLYC4Euj06jztACnuDJcTHMZXK6GvCCsDj3Eqvd2hb~6zJzrixPxv2UGrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Tuscaloosa City, AL","date","2025-06-04T11:48:38Z","article","The Tuscaloosa City Council voted 5–2 to direct the city attorney to prepare an ordinance for the development plan for 105 Rice Mine Road North, a Riverfront Development District application for a proposed Sports Illustrated Resorts development.

The vote came after a multi-hour public hearing and presentations from city staff, the applicant and more than a dozen citizens. The council’s action moves the project to the June 10 agenda under “ordinances of a general and permanent nature,” where council members will take the final vote without a second public hearing.

Why it matters: the project would place a large mixed‑use resort and timeshare complex on a prominent, undeveloped riverfront parcel in Council District 3 and would modify the Riverfront Development District under the city’s legacy zoning code. Supporters say the development could bring substantial private investment, construction jobs and new riverwalk connections; opponents raised traffic, watershed, design and timeshare concerns and urged the council to delay or deny the plan.

Developer presentation and changes

City staff and the applicant described changes made since an earlier submittal in October 2024. Jason Walker, representing the applicant, said the current Phase 1 proposal has been reduced from an earlier nine‑story concept to a six‑story building and now lists 161 units in Phase 1 compared with roughly 279 units in the prior submittal. The revised plan removes an 18,500‑square‑foot central services building and reduces parking by about 109 spaces, Walker said.

Walker and Jeff Richards, chief operating officer for the developer/manager team, said the project would include a shared‑use path connection to existing and planned Riverwalk segments, recreational amenities such as pickleball courts and on‑site retail and food and beverage space. Walker said the developer is not asking for local tax incentives and estimated the overall project investment at about $140 million; supporters later cited figures near $150 million in public comments. The developers projected roughly 1,100 construction jobs and about 20 permanent positions, and they presented a conservative 25‑year tax estimate they said would generate about $38 million in taxes, including roughly $7 million for schools.

On contested points

Traffic: the developer said historical Alabama Department of Transportation traffic counts showed lower average daily traffic at a nearby node than expected and that a city‑required LDP permit would include additional study if the city engineer demanded it. Several residents and neighborhood leaders pressed the council for a broader, independent traffic study that accounts for university‑in‑session peaks and a wider study area along Rice Mine Road. Tony Hubbard, president of the Rivermont Homeowners Association, said more than 1,100 households and multiple businesses rely on Rice Mine Road as their single ingress/egress and called the study’s limited scope a serious flaw.

Design and neighborhood fit: opponents said the submitted elevations and materials do not reflect promises by the developer to design a resort tailored to Tuscaloosa’s character. Dominique Yancey criticized the building as a “campus model of industrial chic” and asked the council to hold the applicant to earlier design pledges: “When a developer comes and makes the pledge and gives statements to you about the design and doesn't fulfill that pledge, you have the discretion ... to hold them to that pledge,” she said.

Timeshares, branding and operations: speakers repeatedly raised concerns about timeshare units, potential marketing tie‑ins with Sports Illustrated and reputational questions about the brand. Jeff Richards responded to questions about gambling and casinos: “I have not had 1 meeting about a casino. So there are no plans for any casino operations,” Richards said. The applicant described the timeshare product as a points‑based system with short stays and said the developer manages a portfolio of resorts nationwide.

Environmental and public‑safety concerns: residents asked about stormwater, sewer capacity and potential impacts to the riverfront ecosystem. Speakers cited worries about flooding and sewer overflows and asked for stronger assurances and engineering review.

Public testimony and endorsements

Dozens of residents spoke during the hearing. Opponents included Sally Reel (“If you have any doubts about this resort, you must vote no”), Deborah Weiss and Peggy Nassar, who raised concerns about neighborhood impacts, transparency and timeshare practices. Supporters included Ron Price and local developer Bobby Bragg, who said the project would spur riverfront redevelopment and cited the project’s private investment and lack of requested incentives.

The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama’s representative, Barclay Garrett, asked the council to weigh the project’s potential economic benefits and noted the developer was not requesting public incentives.

Council discussion and next steps

After public comment and a recess, council members offered brief remarks. One council member said the proposal has improved after multiple community meetings but added they remained unable to support the plan “as presented.” Council President Tyner and others thanked Councilman Norman Crow for frequent constituent meetings on the item.

By directing the city attorney to draft an ordinance, the council did not approve final development entitlements; the prepared ordinance will return for a formal vote at the June 10 council meeting under ordinances of a general and permanent nature.

Votes at a glance

- Motion: Direct the city attorney to prepare an ordinance for the development plan for 105 Rice Mine Road North (Riverfront Development District application). Outcome: Approved; recorded result 5–2 (roll‑call names not fully recorded in the transcript). Notes: Moves the matter to the June 10 meeting for final action.

- Multiple resolutions and approvals (adopted): ABC alcohol application 25‑034 (Kentucky Museum Association nonprofit license), contract change order with Mac Environmental LLC, authorization for property acquisitions and drafts for Northern Sewer Expansion Phase 1 and University Boulevard East improvements, amendment No. 1 with Chernobyl Engineering LLC, Minor Public Works contracts with Bryan’s Flooring and Design, T & P Construction and Chip Griffith Construction Inc., funding agreement with Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Authority, several code amendments and budget amendment No. 12 to the FY2025 general fund. Many of those items were adopted by unanimous or recorded yea votes during the meeting; the transcript records successful adoption for each listed item.

What the council directed staff to do next

- City Attorney: prepare an ordinance reflecting the Council’s direction for the development plan; the ordinance will appear on the June 10 agenda for final council action.

- City Engineer/staff: continue technical review; councilmembers and residents requested independent traffic analysis and further answers on sewer/stormwater capacity.

Community context

The project is in Council District 3 along the city’s Riverwalk and is the subject of prior Riverfront Advisory Committee and Planning and Zoning Commission hearings dating to September 2024 and October 2024. Residents and neighborhood leaders said the site is central to several neighborhoods and described Rice Mine Road as a critical access corridor. Supporters emphasized private investment and riverwalk connectivity; opponents urged caution over traffic, environmental and design outcomes.

The council’s direction to prepare an ordinance does not guarantee final approval. The June 10 meeting will contain the formal ordinance vote under the council’s ordinances and permanent operations section, where council members may adopt, amend or reject the ordinance based on the prepared language and any conditions the council requires.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tuscaloosa City Council Meeting - Jun 03, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Tuscaloosa City Council voted 5–2 to direct the city attorney to prepare an ordinance for a development plan for 105 Rice Mine Road North, a Riverfront Development District application for a Sports Illustrated Resorts project. The project drew dozens of speakers and debate about traffic, design, timeshares and environmental impacts.","taxTitle","Tuscaloosa City, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama","taxId",4830,"location","headline","","shortSummary","actionData","errors"]

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Tuscaloosa council directs city attorney to draft ordinance for Sports Illustrated‑branded resort after contentious public hearing