Northport approves bonds and development agreement for Imagine School campus

The City Commission of Northport on June 24 adopted a resolution permitting tax‑exempt financing for the Imagine School at Northport project and approved a development agreement for the school’s campus along East Price Boulevard.

The actions give Imagine School at Northport Inc. municipal approvals needed for tax‑exempt bonds and outline the developer’s obligations to build and maintain infrastructure related to the project. City staff and the commission said the approvals do not themselves authorize construction but clear required local procedural steps.

City Manager Fletcher told the commission the resolution is needed because the school will be located within city limits and that any attorney fees or indemnification obligations would be paid by the school. "We ask that you approve resolution number 2025‑R‑44 today as presented," Fletcher said before the vote. The commission adopted Resolution 2025‑R‑44 to permit issuance by the Capital Projects Finance Authority of educational facilities revenue bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $60,000,000; the proceeds will be used principally to finance and refinance costs of acquiring, constructing and improving charter school facilities owned and operated by Imagine School at Northport Inc. The motion to adopt the resolution passed 5‑0.

At second reading, the commission adopted Ordinance 2025‑13 approving a development agreement for the proposed campus. Gabriel Quintus, Development Services assistant director, summarized the agreement and project scope: the development site comprises four parcels totaling approximately 23.935 acres and is proposed to contain an approximately 139,500‑square‑foot educational facility serving kindergarten through high school with capacity for up to 1,500 students. The facility design, Quintus said, includes two gymnasiums, two cafeterias, an athletic field and a playground for younger students.

Quintus said the development agreement requires the developer to construct and maintain central water and wastewater facilities, a stormwater management system, ingress and egress points along East Price Boulevard and Glenbrook Boulevard, and certain bridge and ditch improvements. He described the bridge work as construction of one roadway and one pedestrian bridge proposed to cross Retention Ditch R‑588 and ongoing maintenance of that ditch. The agreement term is 10 years with two automatic extensions included at the developer’s request. Staff recommended approval; the commission adopted Ordinance 2025‑13 by a 5‑0 vote.

Commissioner Duval framed the commission’s role in the votes as procedural. "Basically all we're doing here is making it legal for them to get their bonds. This isn't costing the city anything," Duval said during discussion.

The development agreement and the municipal action are governed by the city’s Unified Land Development Code and state notice requirements for development agreements. Quintus noted that associated site development and infrastructure plans are under review by the Development Review Committee and that schools are permitted by right in the corridor zoning district subject to ULDC standards; approval of the ordinance does not itself approve final development plans.

The approvals move the Imagine School at Northport project forward administratively: the resolution authorizes the city’s limited approval for tax‑exempt financing and the ordinance formalizes the city’s development‑agreement terms for infrastructure and maintenance obligations. Staff said the developer intends for the new campus to be complete in time for the 2026 school year; final plan approvals and permits remain subject to administrative review and compliance with ULDC and state law.

Votes at a glance: Resolution 2025‑R‑44 — adopted 5‑0; Ordinance 2025‑13 (second reading) — adopted 5‑0.

What’s next: Staff will continue Development Review Committee review of site and infrastructure plans; the development agreement includes timing and service‑level obligations to be completed concurrent with the development’s impacts.