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Prattville council clears multiple economic development measures, authorizes road and study contracts
Summary
Council adopted an ordinance selling 5.7 acres on Old Farm Lane, approved incentives and support for two recruitment projects (Project Queen and Project Magnolia), and authorized a $59,000 corridor traffic study funded by the city's Education 1¢ reserve.
The Prattville City Council voted to approve a package of economic development and capital items, including the sale of a 5.7-acre parcel on Old Farm Lane and several incentive and infrastructure actions intended to support retail and industrial recruitment.
Ordinance Number 1, approved after the council suspended the usual rules by roll call, declares a 5.7-acre parcel on Old Farm Lane as not needed for municipal purposes and directs its conveyance to Commerce Street Partners LLC for $950,000 plus the construction of a public roadway. The ordinance cites Section 11-47-20, Code of Alabama 1975, as authority for disposing of city real property.
The council also adopted Resolution Number 2 to amend the FY2025 budget and enter into an agreement with Skipper Consulting Inc. for a corridor traffic operations assessment around Old Ridge Road from Fairview Avenue to U.S. 31 at a cost not to exceed $59,000. The resolution reduces the Education 1¢ reserve by $59,000 and increases the appropriation for engineering professional services. The resolution cites Section 41-16-51(a)(3), Code of Alabama 1975, as permitting the city to contract directly with engineers possessing a high degree of professional skill.
Resolution Number 3, labeled “Project Queen,” authorizes the city to offer an incentive package to support redevelopment of Prattville Plaza and the anticipated opening of a large “RK store” (described in the resolution as not less than 80,000 square feet). Economic development staff said the incentives will be performance-based and stated that the project is expected to increase tax revenues for the shopping center. The city’s economic developer said the package does not include upfront direct cash to the company.
Resolution Number 4 expresses support for “Project Magnolia” and related industrial access funding. The council also approved a $88,750 purchase and installation of a 30-by-96 pole barn for Parks & Recreation (Resolution Number 5), authorized submission of an Industrial Access Road (IAR) grant application to ALDOT for South Industrial Park (Resolution Number 6), and approved a carousel rental for downtown December activities at a cost not to exceed $29,750 (Resolution Number 7). Resolution Number 17 appointed Grant Scott Leach to the Historic Preservation Commission.
Council discussion on Resolution 2 included questions about the study boundaries and whether the analysis would consider existing conditions and potential future development; staff confirmed the study will include Old Ridge Road and related corridors and will address current conditions and proposed development. Economic development staff answered questions about Project Queen’s return on investment and described it as revenue-positive and performance-based.
Votes at a glance: Ordinance Number 1 (sale of Old Farm Lane parcel to Commerce Street Partners LLC for $950,000 with public roadway construction) — Adopted after suspension of rules by roll call. Resolution Number 2 (Skipper Consulting traffic study, up to $59,000) — Adopted. Resolution Number 3 (Project Queen incentives) — Adopted. Resolution Number 4 (Project Magnolia support) — Adopted. Resolutions 5–7 and 17 (pole barn, IAR application, carousel rental, historic commission appointment) — Adopted. Many items were adopted by voice/consent; where a roll-call suspension occurred, the transcript records yes votes for the council members present.
The mayor and staff said additional details about specific incentives and project terms will be provided later; the council approved the measures as described in the meeting materials and authorized the mayor to execute necessary documents.
