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Council authorizes performance‑based incentive for BDH Enterprise and approves property purchases and contracts
Summary
At its meeting the council adopted a performance‑based incentive for BDH Enterprise under Amendment 772, authorized purchase of the former Cuts restaurant property for $390,000, and approved contracts including a Kimley‑Horn engineering agreement and an ADRS MOU; staff emphasized incentives are revenue‑sharing and not upfront grants.
The Enterprise City Council approved multiple economic development and infrastructure actions at its meeting following a public hearing on a proposed incentive agreement and several staff motions.
BDH Enterprise incentive: During a public hearing, developer John Abernathy said his team plans to redevelop the vacant former Rite Aid/Family Dollar parcel and integrate sidewalks and landscaping consistent with the city’s Rucker Boulevard plan. A member of the public asked whether the city would be giving public funds; city staff explained the agreement would be performance‑based under Amendment 772 and structured as a revenue‑sharing incentive (the developer would receive a portion of city sales tax revenue up to a cap for a defined period) rather than a direct upfront payment. Council passed Resolution 031726 authorizing the incentive.
Property acquisition: The council authorized the mayor to execute closing documents to purchase the former Cuts restaurant property on East Lee Street for $390,000 plus closing, environmental and a portion of survey costs. Staff said the owner approached the city, the property was appraised at that amount, and the purchase will preserve options for future public use or redevelopment.
Contracts and other approvals: Council authorized a professional services agreement with Kimley‑Horn and Associates for preliminary engineering on the ATRIP2 traffic signal upgrades and additional signal analysis (not to exceed $152,000); approved a memorandum of understanding with the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services to provide office space at the Enterprise Civic Center (no rent exchanged; ADRS would staff two positions locally); and authorized the purchase of two transfer trailers (budgeted) for $200,472. Each item was moved, seconded and approved by council voice vote.
What it means: City staff characterized the BDH incentive as performance‑based, with no front money; developer obligations to construct sidewalks and streetscape improvements were described as part of the agreement. Staff said the Cuts property purchase followed an appraisal and fiscal‑office confirmation that funds were available. Council members praised staff for pursuing state grant opportunities to limit local match requirements.
Next steps: Staff will finalize incentive contract terms, complete the Cuts property closing and move forward with the Kimley‑Horn scope for ATRIP2 design work.
