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Council briefed on airport industrial-park grant administration and Anna T. Jean School lease to community partner
Summary
Staff outlined grant administration and environmental assessment costs for the Airport Industrial Park grant project and said the city expects land transfer; separately, the council reviewed a proposed short-term lease of the Anna T. Jean School property to Hope Community, with a carve-out for a public park area.
City staff told council members about upcoming contract work tied to the Airport Industrial Park infrastructure grant and discussed a recently closed conveyance of the Anna T. Jean School property from the Baldwin County Board of Education.
For the airport project, staff said they selected a grant-administration consultant (Volker) and the firm submitted a cost estimate of $16,257.41 for administration services. Staff said the cost can be included in the grant reimbursement and noted there is a $20,000 line item available in the project budget that can cover the expense. The city is also procuring an environmental assessment for the site; staff said both the administration contract and the assessment are likely reimbursable by the grant but final reimbursement will depend on project design and eligibility.
Staff briefed the council on the broader rationale: the airport’s west-side land (zoned light industrial) will become developable once roads, water and sewer are extended; infrastructure paid with grant funds could increase the land’s market value, allow the city to recover some costs from the airport authority or future property sales, and generate recurring revenue as businesses occupy the parcels.
Separately, staff said the city closed on the Anna T. Jean School property on Friday. They presented a proposed lease to allow Hope Community to use the property; the draft lease includes a 1.625‑acre carve‑out for a public park and potential splash pad to be developed with another community partner. Staff described the initial lease term as short (five years with renewal options) to preserve city flexibility and to support future grant or development requirements that may need longer lease terms.
Why it matters: the airport project is intended to create industrial land for business development and tax revenue; the Anna T. Jean School property lease is a community‑use decision that affects local programming and park planning.
What’s next: staff will proceed with grant administration contracting, environmental assessment procurement and related budget actions; the lease to Hope Community will come to the council for final authorization as a scheduled agenda item.
