Alexander City council approves resolution to pursue state funding to demolish two derelict industrial buildings

The Alexander City Council on March 2 voted unanimously to allow the mayor to apply for Growing Alabama Fund assistance to demolish two deteriorated industrial structures the city owns and to commit the redeveloped site to future large‑employer industrial use if the grant is awarded.

Denise Walls, who presented the item, said Buildings 8 and 9 have extensive water and structural damage, that Plant 8 is condemned and Plant 9 has significant water intrusion and a soft floor, and that repair costs could exceed demolition and site remediation. She explained that Growing Alabama awards require a donor tax-credit partner and that the city would need to accept funds and commit the site to large‑employer use for a period after demolition. "If we are awarded this money and we use it and we get these buildings demolished, then we have to commit too that this will be a large employer site," she said.

Walls described a multi-step plan: procure environmental and asbestos surveys (ADM funds to cover surveys and remediation if eligible), secure a donor for the Growing Alabama tax-credit program, and submit a competitive application with cost estimates. She said some foundations may remain and that utilities at the site could affect future servability; staff will survey and scope remediation before a demolition contract.

Council suspended the rules to bring the item from the floor and then approved the resolution authorizing application submittal and mayoral execution of necessary documents. The motion passed 6–0. The presenter emphasized those funds are competitive and not guaranteed.

In the same meeting the council passed several other routine measures, all by unanimous vote: a resolution to authorize an agreement for geological monitoring at a landfill well, a 36‑month lease for a utility billing printer (first-year cost not to exceed $4,869), a sign-area variance for a freestanding Holiday Inn Express pylon sign, an airport terminal amenity agreement that would generate a small revenue share, and appointments of voting delegates for an upcoming municipal conference.

The council heard public comment from departing parks-and-recreation staff who thanked colleagues and volunteers; later in the meeting, a councilor raised procedural concerns about HR transparency and records access and the mayor defended HR processes. The meeting closed with a vote to enter executive session.

Votes at a glance
• Resolution to authorize submission of Growing Alabama application (Buildings 8 & 9): approved 6–0.
• Geological-survey monitoring-well agreement: approved 6–0.
• 36‑month printer lease for billing department (not to exceed $4,869 first year): approved 6–0.
• Holiday Inn Express freestanding sign variance (101.25 sq. ft.): approved 6–0.
• Airport amenity/StylerBox agreement (rev share): approved 6–0.
• Voting delegates for municipal conference: approved 6–0.

Next steps: Staff said it will secure cost estimates and a donor partner if feasible, complete environmental surveys and remediation plans as needed, and return with final application paperwork and any city commitments required by program rules.