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Gadsden City Council approves multiple development projects, tables a liquor-license request
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Summary
At its April 21 meeting the Gadsden City Council adopted a package of development and infrastructure items — including a $6.29 million award for a new tennis complex, a hotel incentive agreement, consultant contracts and construction change orders — and voted to table a liquor-license application for further review.
Gadsden City Council on April 21 adopted several resolutions and ordinances to advance parks, tourism and downtown projects while postponing a liquor-license decision.
The council voted to award bid No. 3640 for the Gadsden Tennis Center to Milam and Company LLC for $6,294,765 after the lowest bidder withdrew citing a clerical error. “The city engineer has recommended awarding to Milam and Company LLC in the amount of $6,294,765,” President Beck said during the discussion. Councilman Wilson described the tennis complex as part of a larger sports-park partnership with Gadsden State Community College and said the city and college expect to split costs and settle reimbursement at the end of construction.
Council members also approved an economic-incentive agreement with Verish LLC to develop a hotel at 101 John Moore Way. Under the agreement the city will rebate 3% of the city’s 5% lodging tax proceeds for up to five years or until $500,000 in rebates have been paid, whichever comes first. Councilman Wilson framed the incentive as a way to generate lodging capacity alongside recently expanded sports and riverfront projects tied to increased tourism.
The council authorized consultant and professional-services agreements it said are aimed at securing outside funding and completing city renovations. Members adopted a $12,000 agreement with AECOM Technical Services to prepare and submit a 2026 Safe Streets and Roads for All grant implementation application; President Beck said the effort will identify traffic-calming, lighting and striping interventions for high‑incident locations. The council also approved a $348,350 professional‑services contract with Davis Architects Incorporated for the Ritz Theater renovation and an $8,644 scope amendment with CDP Design LLC to add golf bag storage to the Twin Bridges Clubhouse renovation.
On construction items, the council approved change order No. 1 for bid 3604 with Hudak Construction for the Moore Glosser Amphitheater canopy and related work. Councilman Wilson said contractors discovered additional conduit, sound support and clearance issues after work began; the approved change order amount is $108,190.82.
Not all items moved forward. The council took up a previously held public hearing on a Class 1 lounge retail liquor license for Gaga’s Bar and Grill LLC (1617 Forest Avenue, District 3). After council members and staff cited outstanding audit and revenue‑department questions, Councilman Wilson moved to table the resolution indefinitely. “There’s some questions about timeline here,” Wilson said; the motion to table carried on a voice vote, leaving the license unresolved.
Several items were adopted under the meeting’s new‑business procedure after council unanimously agreed to suspend the usual one‑week notice requirement, including an ordinance adjusting candidate qualifying fees to reflect a state legislative change (mayor’s fee $500; council and school‑board races $250). President Beck said the ordinance permits fee waivers for candidates who meet specified exemption criteria.
Mayor Mary Ford used her remarks to highlight volunteer and staff efforts at recent events, announced city Cleanup Day and Arbor Day on April 24 and promoted a weekend amphitheater show; she thanked the Aniston Star for regional coverage of local activity. Council members took turns praising amphitheater improvements, public‑private partnerships and youth engagement before adjourning.
The council generally used voice votes for the actions taken; minutes and formal roll‑call tallies were not specified on the record for the adopted resolutions.
