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Property committee reviews offers for Capitol Park building and former Fire Station 11; approves pursuit of park lot purchase
Summary
Tuscaloosa City Property Committee discussed unsolicited interests in three city-owned properties — a historic building in the Capitol Park Historic District, the vacated Fire Station 11 and a small lot next to Newtown Park — and voted to pursue a formal offer for the lot appraised at $20,000.
The Tuscaloosa City Property Committee discussed unsolicited interest in three city-owned parcels and voted to move forward with a formal offer to buy a small lot adjacent to Newtown Park, committee members said.
City staff member Mr. Bobbitt told the committee that two properties have drawn inquiries: “the first…that is the old jail, we call it, and it's across from Capitol Park,” and “the second is former Fire Station 11,” which the city has vacated. He said the city has not negotiated with any prospective buyers. “We have had parties come and express interest in possibly purchasing these properties from the city. I'll preface it. We have not negotiated with these parties. We have not discussed with them what they intend to do with them,” Bobbitt said.
The discussion focused first on the building across from Capitol Park, which the committee noted sits inside the Capitol Park Historic District. Bobbitt said buyers would have to comply with local preservation rules: “They would have to go before the historic preservation commission for any renovations or improvements. They couldn't destroy…demolish it.” Committee members recalled past talks with the Tuscaloosa Civil Rights Commission about using the property as a civil rights center but said fundraising and operating-capacity concerns stalled that effort.
A committee member warned about renovation costs and accessibility requirements for repurposing the Capitol Park building: “The ADA requirements are so expensive in that building. You know, you would spend 1,000,000 of dollars for something that would, you know, get very limited use, generate very limited revenue.” Several members said they wanted to revisit prior community conversations before entertaining a sale and asked staff to invite any interested parties to present their plans at the next meeting for discussion only.
On the former Fire Station 11, members said the building has deteriorated while sitting vacant. Staff described the station as not built to needed standards and said the station was a product of the city’s Project Rosewood agreement to provide a fire station near the Mercedes plant. One committee member urged placing the property on the market via a request for proposals. Staff said an appraisal would be required before issuing an RFP and that they would try to return next month with that appraisal and any interested buyers.
The committee also considered a small lot adjacent to what will be Newtown Park. Bobbitt said the city obtained an appraisal for that lot at $20,000 and that the owners — four heirs — are willing to sell. After brief discussion, the committee moved and voted to authorize staff to pursue a formal offer for the lot. “All in favor. Aye,” the committee recorded during the vote.
No sale terms, buyer identities or firm timelines were provided during the meeting. Committee members repeatedly emphasized that further discussions, appraisals and any required approvals (including historic-preservation review) would precede any final sale.
The committee set a follow-up: staff was asked to seek appraisals where needed, return with the appraisal for Fire Station 11 if possible and arrange for any prospective purchasers to present at the next Property Committee meeting for further discussion.
