Decatur council work session: hearings set, grants applied for and downtown development terms outlined

The Decatur City Council’s May 11 work session carried a series of routine and policy items that staff said would come back for action at future meetings.

The council set a public hearing for June 15, 2026 on Resolution 26109, which concerns abating unsafe conditions at 305 Robin Road Southwest. Staff also introduced Resolution 26122, recommending a temporary retail liquor license for Green Walt Hospitality LLC (Fields at 3427 Gordon Terry Parkway) for the Rock the South concert June 11–13; staff said the applicant had met revenue criteria and was coordinating with the fire department.

Council reviewed assessments for demolition/abatement costs and identified specific dollar amounts in the packet for 813 and 821 Austin Street Southwest. Staff also asked for permission to apply for two National Parks Service grants to update historic-residential-district surveys (a $25,200 request was listed for one application) and said, if awarded, the city would return to council to accept grants and identify grant‑match funding in next year’s budget.

A ground-lease extension with SBA for a communications tower was described as an extension option that could add roughly 30 years to the lease, include a $100,000 signing bonus and yield an estimated ~$8 million over that period with a 5% annual escalator; staff noted the current lease has about 47 months remaining.

Staff described a proposed development agreement with Kasa Grand LLC that would substitute an older agreement and include minimum obligations for a Second Avenue redevelopment: at least $5 million in investment, a minimum 7,500 square feet of retail, roughly 15,000 square feet of residential, building permits within a year and proof of a construction loan and 15% equity. Staff said restricted covenants would terminate once the requirements are satisfied and the property would revert to the city if obligations are not met.

Other items included resolution items to relocate an EV charger for a planned STEM center (staff said a $65,000 grant reduced the city’s share of a previously estimated $130,000 cost), a $94,498 change order for the recreation center project, and a short-term $500-per-month parking rental to preserve parks-maintenance parking while a longer-term solution is sought.

Council closed the meeting after a community recognition from the director of the Alabama Bass Trail praising city parks and tourism staff for hosting a recent tournament. Staff said the council will meet again on June 1 for a work session and June 1 for a council meeting, and that Memorial Day week will have no session.