Developer seeks $5.75 million incentive for Springbrook project; resident urges denial, committee forwards proposal to council

The Tuscaloosa City Finance Committee on Dec. 16 heard a presentation from Delaney Property Group seeking a $5.75 million economic development incentive for a commercial project on Springbrook Circle and voted to forward the proposal to full city council for consideration.

John Jackson, representing Delaney Property Group, told the committee the developers are seeking a $5,750,000 incentive package and described the project as a multi-lot commercial development with six lots. "We're proposing ... $5,750,000 incentive package for a project on Springbrook Circle," Jackson said, adding the developer estimates initial city sales-tax revenue at about $46,500 per year and noted that city revenues would begin only after businesses open. Jackson said substantial upfront costs — including more than $7 million for land acquisition and significant ALDOT intersection improvements, demolition, site work and utilities — make the incentive necessary for project feasibility.

During the presentation Jackson said the developer is proposing a 25-year term for incentive payments, that the developer expects some tenants to open by late 2026 and that several lots could be operating by 2027–28. Jackson said the package includes a proposed 9% allocation to the developer and 10% to the city of sales tax receipts during the incentive period, after which the city would retain all sales tax revenue.

Resident Susie Smith spoke during public comment and urged the committee to deny the incentive. Smith said many of the properties on the tract are currently residential and questioned the accuracy of the developer’s projections. "I urge the members of the finance committee to deny the tax incentive proposal for the Springbrook commercial development," Smith said, characterizing the developer’s job, sales and tax revenue forecasts as "wildly optimistic." She raised concerns about existing occupancy of houses on the site, traffic impacts on McFarland Boulevard and the potential effect on nearby businesses, and asked committee members not to subsidize what she called a risky development.

Committee members discussed procedural options and then a member moved to forward the proposal to the full city council with no committee recommendation. The motion carried by voice vote; staff said the item will be presented to council on Dec. 27 with a resolution drafted based on the committee presentation. No final incentive agreement was approved at the committee level; the full council will consider the resolution and any detailed terms at its meeting.

The meeting record includes both the developer’s feasibility assertions and substantive public objections; the full council will review the resolution and any accompanying documentation before making a decision.