Gallatin council directs developer to draft Project Phoenix plans, approves amended MOU after extended debate

Gallatin City Council members voted on Aug. 5, 2025, to direct developer Boyle to prepare preliminary concept plans for “Project Phoenix,” a proposed redevelopment of the City Hall block, and to approve an amended and restated memorandum of understanding (MOU) to advance feasibility and financing work. Both measures passed on separate votes, each recorded as 4-2-1.

The decisions move the project from initial outreach into a formal planning phase so Boyle can produce design, parking and financing options for council review. Council members and residents spent more than an hour debating legal structure, bidding rules, parking, revenue assumptions and protections for municipal tax revenue.

Why it matters: Project Phoenix would reshape property around Gallatin’s downtown square and could affect municipal revenue, parking availability and future development rules. Council members who supported moving the plans forward described the effort as a way to produce the factual information — designs, cost estimates and financing plans — the council will need before making any final commitments. Opponents said the process risked limiting competition and could lead to concessions that reduce city revenue.

Discussion and public comment

Edwin Mims, a Gallatin resident, urged the council to reject Project Phoenix during the public comment period. "I come before you tonight asking you to vote no on Project Phoenix," Mims said, arguing City Hall should not be conveyed for private development and asking the council to publish space-utilization and contingency plans.

Council debate focused on three recurring questions: whether using…