Northport Councilman Questions Beach Resort’s Approval Process
That pile of dirt just off U.S. 82 on Northport's west side that is supposed to eventually become the $350 million University Beach Resort continues to be a point of contention. With a bond validation hearing for developers scheduled for tomorrow, newly seated District 1 Councilman Turnley Smith is claiming the previous council may have violated state law.
In a filing by attorney Joseph T. Cox III, Smith alleges a vote by the council in September of last year to establish a University Beach Improvement District was preceded by language in the development agreement that illegally approved of creation of the district prior to public hearings.
The filing cites several cases where law restricts governing bodies from entering into agreements that would allow "predetermined legislative outcomes." The filing will be presented as part of the public comments allowed at the hearing on a proposed $59 million bond issue for the project in Circuit Judge Daniel Pruet's courtroom tomorrow at 9:00am.
Permits Approved, Work Beginning Soon - Jeff Hogg
Meanwhile, Jeff Hogg, who was Northport Council President during much of the resort negotiations and council votes, posted notice on social media this morning that the project has received a utility permit to begin construction.
According to Hogg, local contractor GFC Construction has been awarded the bid and utility supplies have been ordered with work beginning in the next 30 to 45 days.
Hogg urged readers to not believe when he described as "misinformation" posted by the group of people opposed to the resort on Facebook.
"I promised Northport would have an affordable water park with multiple water slides, children's play areas for kids with all abilities including wheelchairs, a sand lagoon with crystal clear water, new restaurants, new retail shopping, the largest lazy river in the south, plus much more," Hogg wrote.
Developers estimate a $61 million tax impact on Northport in the first ten years and a $254 million impact within 30 years.
Kent Donahue of University Beach LLC said, "We have done an economic impact study and anticipate 660,000 new visitors a year just as a result of our project."
Opposition
Opposition to the almost 80-acre mixed-use development sprang up among a group of residents and non-residents virtually as soon as the project was made public. Bart Harper was one of the most vocal, "This is not a good fit for Northport this is not a good fit for this area we don't have the infrastructure don't have the people to support this and we don't have the climate for a Caribbean style resort that will only be open at best four months out of the year."
Opponents showed up at called and regular council meetings to question the project and claim the council was not being transparent in their dealings with developers. They also voiced concerns about traffic congestion and proximity to nearby neighborhoods.
Opposition was recently further emboldened when Rowlett, TX filed suit against some of the same developers as University Beach for allegedly defaulting on an agreed-upon deal for a similar project.
Project foe Tuffy Holland said during a public hearing on rezoning that, "The overwhelming opposition from your constituents should not be ignored. Development without community buy-in is a recipe for division, resentment, and failure." That resentment led to just two incumbent council members winning re-election.
More From Tuscaloosa Thread
