Irondale mayor delays vote on purchase of Grants Mill parcel as city announces planned Costco site

Mayor James D. Stewart Jr. postponed action Tuesday on a resolution that would authorize the city to buy property at 4514 Grants Mill Trail and, during the meeting, announced the site is slated for a large national retailer.

The item, Resolution 2025-R-139, would have authorized Mayor James D. Stewart Jr. or his designee to execute a property purchase agreement for the Grants Mill address and any documents necessary to complete the sale. "I have bad news for you tonight. We've decided to postpone this resolution," Stewart said, adding the matter will be presented at a later meeting.

The delay followed Stewart's announcement that Irondale is preparing to receive what he described as "the third largest retailer in the United States" and that the city expects a new 152,000-square-foot facility adjacent to the Mercedes dealership. He said the city plans to purchase about 18 acres as a buffer between the development and nearby homes and noted an approximately 200-foot elevation difference between the store site and some residences in the Bainbridge area. "One of the reasons that we are purchasing this is to protect the neighborhood," Stewart said.

Council members who spoke at the meeting welcomed the announcement. Councilwoman Cuellar highlighted the retailer's corporate code of ethics and read a short summary of its principles: "Obey the law. Take care of your members. Take care of your employees." Councilman London, who took part in the earlier council discussion about the retailer, joked that he would upgrade his vehicle purchase because of the store's expected arrival. Councilman Box urged unity during the project’s construction, saying the city will face "challenges" but should remain civil while they are addressed.

City staff said some project details remain under negotiation. The administration told the public it has a 330-day due-diligence period in the purchase agreement and that a construction start date has not been set. When asked for a plot plan, officials said not all specifics were finalized and promised to make them available when they are.

Residents at the meeting asked for more information about the project's location, timeline and impacts. Several expressed concern that nearby properties could suffer construction noise, truck traffic and other disturbances. The mayor and other officials repeatedly said the purchased acreage is intended to provide a buffer and that staff will meet with neighbors once more details are available.

The council held an executive session before returning to the item; the council voted to enter executive session for preliminary negotiations related to trade or commerce and for discussion of real property market value. After returning to open session, the mayor announced the postponement of Resolution 2025-R-139. No formal vote on the resolution itself was recorded at the meeting.

Votes at the meeting included approvals of routine procedure motions: the council voted to enter executive session and later voted to end it; the agenda was approved by motion of Councilman London, seconded by Councilman Sims, and the motion passed unanimously. A motion to adjourn also passed.

The mayor and council credited several people when describing the work that led to the announcement, including staff members April Danielson and "Lauren," Jefferson County deputy county manager Heather Carter, broker Deborah McGill, and citizen Hugo Isom. Officials said the city will release additional project documents and timeline details through its usual channels when they are available.