Gadsden council approves engineering agreement, Alabama Power shoreline permit and grants-compliance contract to advance Coosa Harbor project

The Gadsden City Council unanimously approved three resolutions under new business aimed at advancing waterfront development and strengthening the city’s capacity to manage grants.

Councilwoman Latham introduced Resolution 2025-153, described as a request from the engineering department authorizing preliminary engineering, right-of-way and utility agreements with the State of Alabama for the relocation of SR-25/US-411 (Albert Rains Boulevard). Latham moved to suspend the rules for immediate consideration; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The council then voted to adopt the resolution. The record shows the measure was adopted by voice vote; no roll-call tallies were recorded in the meeting minutes.

Councilman Robinson presented Resolution 2025-155, which the engineering department requested to authorize submission of the Alabama Power shoreline permit required for construction work associated with the Coosa Harbor project. Robinson said the permit submission was “one of those hurdles you gotta jump through to get some construction going,” and asked for immediate consideration; the council granted consent and adopted the resolution by voice vote.

Councilwoman Menotra introduced Resolution 2025-156, an agreement with the East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission to assist the city with grant management and compliance. Menotra told the council the commission would help ensure compliance with applicable rules and regulations, and named Beacon Hammond and Davis-Bacon wage compliance as areas the commission would assist with. The council granted immediate consideration and adopted the agreement by voice vote.

All three items were presented as requests from the engineering department or city administration and were approved during the meeting without recorded opposition. The mayor and council described the actions as part of a larger effort to implement the city’s GrowGadsden plan and to prepare the Coosa River waterfront for development; council members said the measures support commerce, industry and retail investment along the river.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 2025-153 (engineering department): authorize preliminary engineering/right-of-way/utility agreement with the State of Alabama for relocation of SR-25/US-411 (Albert Rains Boulevard). Motion to suspend rules for consideration (mover: Councilwoman Latham; second: recorded as “Second” but not named). Adopted by voice vote. - Resolution 2025-155 (engineering department): authorize submission of Alabama Power shoreline permit for Coosa Harbor construction. (mover: Councilman Robinson; second: recorded as “Second”). Adopted by voice vote. - Resolution 2025-156 (administration/requested by Councilwoman Menotra): agreement with East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission for grants and compliance assistance (including Davis-Bacon wage matters). (mover: Councilwoman Menotra; second: recorded as “Second”). Adopted by voice vote.

Scope and next steps The resolutions allow engineering and permitting work to proceed and add outside assistance for grant compliance; the council did not set implementation dates or specific budget line items during the meeting. Council members said Coosa Harbor and associated right-of-way work are intended to attract private investment to the riverfront. Staff and the engineering department will proceed with the engineering agreements and permit applications as authorized.