Tuscaloosa OKs Incentives to Build New Restaurants & Stores in Springbrook Neighborhood

The Tuscaloosa City Council has approved a $5.75 million incentives package to redevelop a portion of the Springbrook neighborhood off McFarland Boulevard, bringing new-to-market restaurants and retailers to District 7.

The proposal, first covered by the Thread in early 2025, will demolish about two dozen aging homes, most of which are vacant and owned by a group of landlords who support the new vision.

After demolishing the postwar single-family homes, the Delaney Property Group of Mobile has agreed to construct up to six restaurant and retail facilities at a new Springbrook Circle shopping center.

(presentation created by City of Tuscaloosa)

The incentives approved Tuesday night create what some elected officials call a profit-sharing agreement with Delaney. Through it, the city will rebate $5.75 million in sales tax revenue to the developer. None of that is up-front or lump sum - the money paid to the developer will only come from taxes generated on the Springbrook property.

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The terms of the agreement say Delaney is working to bring a Dutch Bros Coffee, a Culver's, and a Valvoline Oil Change Service Center to the lot. A previously teased Golden Corral is no longer expected to come to the property.

The agreement also projects the creation of 215 jobs associated with the new development.

Although most conversations about the proposal on social media have drawn excitement from users about new commercial developments, a vocal group of opponents has emerged as final votes about the incentives drew near.

A number of them were at the city council meeting on Tuesday to voice those thoughts, urging the council not to give Delaney their blessing - and tax revenue.

They questioned whether the proposed businesses, although new to the market, are unique enough to remain popular and profitable in the long term. They also blamed the landlords who own the to-be-demolished lots for allowing them to fall into disrepair, then seeking tax dollars to pay them back for their revitalization.

One current Springbrook resident who said he attended the meeting by chance supported the measure, though, and said it's no great gift to live in one of the few remaining residential lots in the predominantly commercial McFarland Boulevard corridor.

Michael Delaney of Delaney Property Group also attended the meeting and said he's not just an out-of-town developer. He told the council he's been in Tuscaloosa all week for Bama Bound as his son prepares to attend the University of Alabama, and that he lived here for five years.

"I would like to thank the council for working with us to get what I believe is an agreement that holds the developer accountable to timelines, to certain new tenants, and to make this a reasonable new development for the city of Tuscaloosa so they can get their return on investment," Delaney said.

After the public hearing, the council voted 4-2 in favor of the incentives package. Lee Busby and John Faile voted no, with Joe Eatmon, Raevan Howard, Kip Tyner and Cassius Lanier voting yes.

The new District 3 councilman, Richard Henry, was not present to vote on Tuesday.

"After a couple of years of working to get the right plan and developer, we are finally here. This Springbrook development will bring a breath of fresh air to Albright Road, McFarland Boulevard, and District 7," Councilman Cassius Lanier told the Thread. "Economic development is essential to revitalizing our community. It’s important that we concentrate on a better quality of life, new to market businesses, new jobs in walking distance even for our surrounding neighbors. Replacing a blighted area with fresh new construction is a Win for our district, and we’re not done yet. I’m grateful to the community that supported me in the effort. Here we grow again!"

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