Irondale council moves to buy Racetrack property for new administration and public safety complex

Irondale city leaders agreed to seek purchase of the former Racetrack property at 2000 Crestwood Boulevard in a move the mayor said would create space for a new administration building, public works and a public safety facility. Mayor James D. Stewart Jr. told the council that, if approved, the city would have 60 days to complete due diligence before closing on a $1,350,000 purchase plus closing costs.

The mayor said the site sits opposite a private redevelopment that he said represents a $6–7 million investment, and that acquiring the Racetrack parcel would let the city “beautify Crestwood Boulevard” and better coordinate future construction in the area. He emphasized that the funding source identified for the purchase does not require borrowing and asked the council to leave the resolution on the consent agenda so staff could complete the next steps.

Council members discussed the site in the context of the city’s long-term facilities strategy; several members expressed support for relocating administrative and public safety operations to the property. No formal roll-call vote on the purchase itself was recorded during deliberations on the consent agenda; the council treated the item as a consent item and moved on after the mayor’s presentation.

Because the property discussion occurred in part during an executive-session interval for real-estate consideration, council members confirmed they would proceed with standard due diligence during the 60-day period if the council approves the final purchase agreement. The mayor asked residents to refrain from assumptions on social media and reiterated that the city had a funding source that does not involve new borrowing.

Next steps: staff will proceed with due diligence under the terms described by the mayor and return to the council with details and a final agreement for formal action.