Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Downtown Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council committee advances unsolicited proposal to redevelop old police headquarters with restaurant and public park
Summary
A city committee voted to advance an unsolicited redevelopment proposal for the former police headquarters that would convert most of the site to green space and add a revenue-producing restaurant. Council members debated parking impacts, maintenance responsibilities and whether to solicit other offers before approving the proposal 3–1–1.
A Homewood City committee voted to advance an unsolicited proposal to redevelop the former police headquarters into a restaurant and public park, approving the measure by a 3–1–1 vote.
Councilor Smith summarized the basics of the proposal, saying, “there’s the purchase price for the property. Whatever work is done comes out of that purchase price. If it is less than the purchase price, then we get the difference. If it is more than the purchase price, he pays the overage.” Smith said the plan would also provide ongoing sales-tax revenue to the city from the restaurant.
Developer Mike Marano told the committee the park would be city property but said his team would like to maintain it under a negotiated agreement because it “is so important to the success of the restaurant.” He said the money the developer pays for the land would be used to design and install the park and that, absent an agreement, the city would maintain the space.
Committee members pressed repeatedly on parking and circulation. One councilor asked for a count of surface spaces that would be lost under the current concept; staff said the figure discussed in the meeting was 21 spaces (fueling bay and adjacent lot) plus some street spaces that the project would replace or relocate. Members discussed potential mitigation including use of under–city-hall parking, valet arrangements with the nearby Aloft hotel and angled parking elsewhere downtown.
Several councilors also raised process questions. Some said the unsolicited nature of the proposal — the city had not solicited offers for the property — made them reluctant to commit city resources without additional outreach. Others said the proposal matched long-standing public requests for a small-scale development with substantial green space. The presenter said the concept includes roughly 60–65% of the site as green space.
After discussion, Councilor Waltney made a motion to approve the proposal; Councilor Brandt seconded. The committee recorded the motion as passing 3 to 1 to 1. The council chair said one member would abstain. No contract or sale was executed at the meeting; the measure advances the proposal for further city review and negotiation.
The committee’s action signals continued review at the staff and council level. Members directed follow-up on parking counts, the precise division of property to be sold versus retained by the city, maintenance responsibilities for the proposed park and any legal or zoning steps required before a sale or development agreement could be finalized.
