Candidate announces House bid; downtown business owner raises access concerns over county property purchase

At a St. Clair County Commission meeting (date not specified), two members of the public used the comment period to raise local issues. Brian Newell announced his candidacy for the Alabama House of Representatives, District 50. Michelle Pound, owner of Show Studios, spoke about her downtown Asheville business and concerns about the county's purchase of a nearby bank building and how that purchase could affect access and the character of adjacent historic properties.

Brian Newell, who described himself as a retired U.S. Army senior noncommissioned officer and a 2024 congressional candidate, told the commission: "I'm announcing my candidacy for the Alabama House of Representatives District 50." He cited personal history and public service as reasons for running and said he intends to seek the 2026 state-house seat.

Michelle Pound, who identified her business as Show Studios at 70 Sixth Avenue (the old MacGregor building), told commissioners she renovated a historic building and said she was concerned about how the county's acquisition of a nearby bank property might affect loading access for her business and the aesthetic fit with neighboring historic storefronts. She said she needs a loading area that can accommodate an 18-wheeler for deliveries and asked that the county consider preserving an alley or right-of-way to ensure usable access. "Ideally, if an 18 wheeler is able to just pull into the parking lot and pull through and back in and pull back out, that's my biggest concern," Pound said.

Why it matters: Candidate announcements are part of the public record and may be of interest to voters in District 50. The business owner's remarks concern county property decisions that can affect downtown access, deliveries and the historic character of storefronts; commissioners indicated staff will keep in touch and consider design and access in planning the property use.

What the commission said and next steps Commissioners thanked Newell for speaking and asked no formal questions that changed the announcement; they told Pound they would stay in touch about access and design and that staff and the property manager are discussing how the county acquisition could be laid out to avoid harming existing businesses. Staff noted they will examine platting, access alleys and curb cuts, and try to match any new county building to existing downtown character where feasible.

Ending No formal county action on the bank property occurred during the public comment period; commissioners discussed the property later in the meeting and said the county is evaluating options and would return with details if officials propose construction or formal property changes.