New Downtown Building Plan Approved

Fairhope, Alabama

OBJECTS BUILDING TO BE DEMOLISHED

The Planning Commission unanimously approved the site plan design for a mixed-use development to be constructed at 25 S. Section where the vacant Objects store now stands (click).

The commission granted a waiver of the usual 8 foot wide sidewalk requirement because of the unusual design of the front at sidewalk level (insets).

Architect Mac Walcot: "What makes Fairhope, Fairhope is the quirky stuff we have ... parts of town with 8' (sidewalks) ... parts that aren't ... ."

Current plans are to have 3 retail stores downstairs and 2 residences upstairs (all rentals).

The property is owned by Fairhope resident Vincent Boothe (co-owner Daphne's Jim Boothe Contracting).

Improvements to the crosswalk in the area are also planned (pedestrian landing, tree).

"Missing Link" Road Construction Begins

Fairhope, Alabama

BISHOP TO BOOTHE ROAD

Construction has begun to connect Bishop Rd. to Boothe Rd. (south of Morphy) in east Fairhope.

The connection should ease school traffic woes in the area and cut-through traffic in the Hawthorne Glen subdivision.

Residents of the Eastgate neighborhood worry traffic may increase in their neighborhood, however.

FUNDED BY SINGLE TAX CORP.

The low bid of $526,568 was awarded to John G. Walton Construction company but the cost is to be entirely funded by the Single Tax Corporation (using their lessees rent payments). No city funds are involved.

MANY TREES TO BE SAVED

As many of the old live oak, magnolia and other trees will be saved by weaving the road around them,
but a significant number will have to be removed. An arborist is included in construction costs for tree protection ($53,500).

A culvert is required to span the wetlands on he south end ($112,000); and a pervious sidewalk will be installed ($40,100).

NAMING CONTROVERSY

The city council will have to decide what to name the completed road since segments are now called Bishop, Boothe and sometimes Troyer (between Morphy and Fairhope Ave.)

One member of the Boothe family (and coincidentally a city employee) asked the city council last year to retain that name -- and another, a member of the extensive Bishop clan, told the Times privately the eventual naming would "probably be" an issue with that family as well.

Mayor Kant: "Let's get it built first ... then worry about naming it."

New Senior Care Coming

Fairhope, Alabama

An 18 unit assisted living facility is being constructed at the corner of Gayfer Rd. and Jubilee Trail (Country Place Senior Living).

The property is owned by CO 2 (Al.) Inc, a subsidiary of Dallas Tx. based PACRIM  US Inc.

Mid-year Financial Report Called "Flat"

Fairhope, Alabama


During a presentation to the city council recently, financial reporter Jill Cabanis called city finances for the six months ending on last March 31 about the same as for the same period the previous year.

Property tax revues had declined some, but was offset by increased local (sales taxes). Police Department costs fell $414,485 --  but "general government (administration) expenses rose $722,183.

Debt service cost fell $225,028 because the library and street paving loans were paid off early.

Revenue received from all the city's utilities rose, electric the most ($413,467).

Notorious Lawsuit Dismissed

Fairhope, Alabama

"PUBLIX" SHOPPING CENTER

A lawsuit filed by a group of Montrose-area residents in 2009 against owners, developers and contractors of the Shoppes at Fairhope Village was dismissed by Judge Jody Bishop on May 6th according to informed sources and court documents -- as requested by all parties involved.

Judge's Order: "Joint stipulation of dismissal as to all remaining parties is granted. Case dismissed with prejudice, each party to bear own costs."

No monetary damages were awarded by the court.

Remaining parties signing the motion to dismiss were:

court order

*Plaintiffs: -- Paul Ripp, Tom and Lisa White, Chip Shaw, et al

*Defendants -- Fairhope LLC, Regency Centers Corp., Regency                      Centers  LP, Sun Belt General Contractors, et al.

According to a Press Register newpaper report at the time (click),  the initial "sprawling" lawsuit alleged violations (during construction) of the comprehensive plan, tree ordinance, county right of way and federal wetland protection laws among "other things".

CITY NO LONGER INVOLVED

The court dropped the city from the suit last year when it found the city could not be held liable for the mistakes of others (contractors, click).

The Times was unable to determine if Baldwin County was still a defendant; they did not sign the dismissal agreement.

SETTLEMENT REACHED

Last month, plaintiff Paul Ripp informed the city council a confidential settlement had been reached; but he could not discuss its terms.

Ripp added that "someone still needs to clean (the silt) out of Fly Creek" -- the plaintiffs' principle demand at one time, according to sources familiar with the case.

MAYOR'S  COMMENTS

Mayor Kant told the Times he had no personal knowledge of the dismissal/settlement but it was frustrating when lawsuits are filed against the city due to the mistakes of others -- even though most of the city's legal costs in such cases are covered by liability insurance.

Kant said his main concern now is not one specific project but  the overall impact of future development within the 5000+ acre Fly Creek drainage basin: He recently proposed purchasing nearby property to help mitigate the  damage (Triangle Property).

Wal Mart to Add Gas Station

Fairhope, Alabama

 

According to Mayor Kant, a gas station (Murphy Oil)  will be locating on highway 181 in front of Wal Mart  -- south of the American Family Care medical clinic.

City To Take Lead Rebuilding Community Park?

Fairhope, Al.

WITH CITIZEN INPUT
 I

The mayor and city council are discussing how to move forward to rebuild the aging community park and make it handicapped-accessible instead of just relying on the two competing citizens' groups to come up with a plan (CLICK).

(The non-profit corporation, Play by the Bay, no longer exists according to a spokesman for the group.)

Council President Burrell said he thought the first step should be for the city to hire an architect to re-desgin the facility: "There are two competing groups ... we don't have to have competition among citizens ... we can look at concepts ... make decisions ... present it to them ... get feedback ... ."

Burrell said there has been enough talk: "We've been talking about this for a while ... its time to start making some decisions ... let the public have some input .... but its ultimately the council's decision ... ."

ELIMINATE TEEN AREA

Mayor Kant said he recommended removing the teen section at the SW end of the property, since that is where most of the vandalism and other crimes occur.

Kant agreed an architect is needed: "... architect could go to the groups, recreation board ... see what they want ..."

Kant: "An architect will make it look nice, then give it to the engineer to make it safe ... ."

LONG TERM PLAN REQUIRED

As a condition for renewing the land lease to the city for the property, the Board of Education is requiring a long-range plan to upgrade the facility and make it more secure.

The land is currently being leased on a month-to-month basis.

Security cameras monitored at the police station have already been installed.

Money for reconstructing the park could be included in next year's budget. The mayor  has said the cost could reach over $200,000 ($400,000 if a splash pad is included).

Strict open-bid laws apply for anything costing over $20,000, excepting professional services.

May 2013 Art Walk

Fairhope, Alabama

DOWNTOWN FAIRHOPE


The monthly art walk went on yesterday despite threatening weather.

The video begins at Nall's studio.

Fish River Flooding

Fairhope, Alabama

BOHEMIAN PARK

Some dogs took advantage of the high water caused by yesterday's heavy rains at the Bohemian Park  by going swimming.

APPLICANTS SOUGHT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEES

Fairhope, Alabama

ENVIRONMENTAL AND RECYCLING

Interested citizens are being encouraged to apply for open positions on the city's environmental and recycling committees. Access the application form here (click).

The Recycling Committee will focus on ways to improve and increase participation in the city's recycling program, possibly by shifting to single stream (click) where residents need not separate recyclable items before placing them on the street -- and the Environmental will make pinpointing the sources of the summertime fecal pollution in the bay and waterways a priority (according to Committee member and Councilman Mueller).

Mueller: "We seem to be running short of people on many of our committees ... I would invite citizens to get involved ... put in an application ... an open invitation ... ."

Councilman Ford: "We're going to get the recycling committee going again ... work on which way we want to go ... participation is good ... but we would like to get some more ... if anybody would like to get on it ... appreciate you coming forward ... ."

NO SPECIFIC MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

According to the city clerk, there are no specific qualifications needed to serve on any city committee, anyone interested may apply. Committee members will review the applications, make recommendations of the best qualified -- and the city council appoint the new members.

Council President Burrell:

 "I like to see experience in a given area, if applicable,
and a strong desire to serve.  I am looking for people that will put time
into a committee, not just someone that wants to build their resume."