Gadsden City approves $4.5 million incentive package for Marriott Tribute hotel on former police site

Gadsden City Council on June 30 adopted a resolution authorizing a project agreement with Galactic Hospitality Group LLC to construct a Marriott Tribute hotel on the site of the former police building at 90 Broad Street.

The council approved a package in which the city will convey the project site upon completion of required site work, assist with permitting, waive applicable fees as permitted by law, and provide roughly $4.5 million in incentives distributed across project milestones. John Moore, who led the staff presentation, said the developer "has asked for about $4.5 million, but they want that in upfront monies ... spread out over a three-year period" tied to plan approval, groundbreaking and ribbon-cutting.

Mayor Ford and councilmembers framed the deal as an economic-development anchor for downtown. Mayor Ford said the hotel will "amplify what we already have" downtown and help bring more visitors for events on the riverfront. Council members noted the project is intended to support the city’s broader vision — including a pedestrian bridge and venue improvements — that they said will grow tourism and downtown residential development.

Council discussion addressed how the incentive will be funded. Officials said funds will come from a designated economic-development line in the general fund (referred to in discussion as line 160); the administration reported roughly $750,000 currently available in the account and another $500,000 expected by October 1, and planned to spread payments across multiple budgets so the initial outlay could be accommodated. A councilmember summarized the fiscal rationale by analogy to a developer preferring a present cash amount rather than a larger, long-term rebate.

Council members also highlighted anticipated benefits: staff and council cited an estimated "approximately over 60 jobs" the hotel would create, additional convention and tourism capacity tied to the venue and sporting events, and a negotiated 4% ownership return to the city if the project yields a profit. Supporters stressed the package is designed to be milestone-based and contingent on developer performance. After discussion, the council adopted the resolution by voice vote.

The agreement requires the developer to finalize plans, break ground, and open for the city to make successive incentive payments. City officials said the project will return to staff and council for permitting and final site approvals as required before conveyance of the site upon completion of site work. The council did not provide a numeric roll-call tally in the record; the motion to adopt carried on a voice vote.