Vacant hospital land sees new life as shopping center
In the 1970s, this land gave way to a new, three-story hospital for St. Clair County in Pell City. In the 1980s to accommodate this quickly growing city, a fourth floor was added. Ten years ago, the hospital saw its last patient moved to its new state-of-the-art hospital across Interstate 20 – again to accommodate the growth of a thriving city.
An abandoned building stood dormant for years then was demolished to once again making way for growth.
Developer Bill Ellison approached county officials with the idea that it would be an ideal spot for retail development. It had all the right essentials – Interstate 20 frontage, access from the U.S. 231 corridor and plenty of acreage.
St. Clair County, which owned the property at the time, gave Ellison options on the land, and knowing the kind of retail the city and county needed, he located a marketing company with a proven track record for this type of development. Key executives with Noon Development based out of Chattanooga, Tenn., also developed the Trojan Marketplace in Troy, where Hobby Lobby and T.J.Maxx are the anchor tenants along with Ulta Beauty, Five Below and Rackroom Shoes.
Delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, but not deterred, the Pell City development is now becoming a reality. Officials announced Hobby Lobby and T.J.Maxx as anchor tenants on the 19-acre tract with more news on the way about other household name tenants committing to set up shop there.
“The two anchor tenants are confirmed,” said Pell City Manager Brian Muenger. While others have not yet confirmed, Muenger said other tenants frequently locate with anchor tenants and are “proven, name brands. We are very happy to see them committed to it.”
Muenger pointed out that there are four outparcels in addition to the 135,000-square-foot retail complex. The one closest to the interstate has been reserved for a restaurant. In the agreement with the city during adoption of tax abatement incentives, the city will provide the land for a national, sit-down restaurant provided the developers locate one there within two years. If not, it reverts back to the city. “Rather than simply filling the space, we specifically said a national restaurant has to be part of the development.”
For years, citizens have been asking for amenities that would improve the quality of life in the city – more upscale restaurants and quality retail. “The developers are confident they can deliver on that agreement,” Muenger said.
To further ensure the city gets the kind of development its population wants, there was a pre-approved list of retailers.
The “gap” going unfilled for the city, Muenger said, has been soft goods and a sit-down restaurant.
The city has solidified its opportunities by partnering with the St. Clair County Commission as well. All involved see it as a ‘game changer’ for the region.
In four to six weeks, city and county representatives will go to court to make sure all plans are compliant with the law and in the public interest. Once approved, “that’s when work will begin,” Muenger said. Groundbreaking is expected later this year – mid-2022. As a comparison, the Trojan Marketplace broke ground in December 2019. It opened in May 2021.
The Department of Transportation will be doing grading work at the U.S. 231 intersection and clearing trees at the interstate.
“We’re excited about it,” he added. “This is the highest and best use of this property. It will establish Pell City as a viable shopping destination, keeping dollars in the community that frequently were spent somewhere else.”
“This property has been a tremendous partnership between the city and county commission,” said Commission Chairman Paul Manning. “It began with us working together to construct a top-rated, new hospital but then continued with the redevelopment of the hospital’s old site.”
Officials project the investment will generate more than $30 million in tax revenue – $11 million of which is allocated to schools. “This project will be good for the City of Pell City, the County Commission, and all of our citizens,” Manning said. “This project will provide both job and shopping opportunities that will help keep our families shopping local and attract more shoppers from outside of the county.”
St. Clair Economic Development Council Executive Director Don Smith talked of the partnership that helped bring the development about. “The County Commission and Pell City have a long history of successfully working together on transformational projects. This project was no exception and would have been impossible without both entities supporting one another.”
Story by Carol Pappas, Discover St. Clair Magazine
Submitted photos
