BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
For a fly-through video of Phase 1 and Phase II, click https://17springs.org/#single/0
The work session meeting of the Millbrook City Council this week was full of updates concerning the next phase of Seventeen Springs, as well as the development of the Marketplace at 17 Springs.
As Phase 1 is nearing completion, the next step is to complete the overall project including Phase II over the next 18 months, officials said.
Phase II will include the Fieldhouse indoor events/sports space and stadium along with six baseball/softball fields. Travelers along Hwy. 14 will soon see “things going vertical” as building construction begins.
Project Manager Stuart Peters also shared a concept of the future layout consisting of planned commercial development for the Alabama Highway 14 frontage. The City of Millbrook and Elmore County own an approximate 18 acres of property along the north side of the corridor. He relayed the vision for the City and County to develop. More details will be forthcoming as the plans are finalized.
Mayor Al Kelley and Economic Development Director Ann Harper confirmed commercial interest has been high as 17 Springs has progressed.
Within the project is an area that will be the future home of hotels, restaurants and medical facilities, as well as other retail businesses.
Mayor Al Kelley said that watching this longtime dream become a reality is amazing.
“To think this all started with a few of us around a table years ago coming up with a plan is rather nice. Thanks to partnerships with ECEDA, the Elmore County Commission, the Elmore County Board of Education and the Grandview YMCA, this is a game changer for our area, our county and even the state,” Kelley said.
To say there is a lot of interest in the projects is a huge understatement. The Economic Development plans are innumerable, and so far under wraps for the most part. “But it is coming,” Kelley said with a grin.
As part of Phase 1, the Pickle Ball and Tennis courts are already attracting a lot of attention. The soccer fields have been a huge asset for area players and very popular.
There is even a Facebook Page now dedicated to Millbrook Pickleball. The courts stay full, with people waiting during business hours.
“It is a big thing, and it makes me wonder if we built enough courts,” Kelley said.
The 17 Springs website recently shared an update on the Tennis/ Pickleball Complex.
The Tennis / Pickleball Complex at 17 Springs is now open for extended hours. New hours are 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday through Saturday with court lights available after dusk. Individuals can access parking for the complex by turning off Fieldhouse Way into the designated parking area and entering the complex through the gate at the Tennis / Pickleball entrance building.
Courts remain open on a first come, first served basis, but reservations (for a fee) can be made by emailing your name and phone number to 17springs@elmoreco.org (reservations require at least a 24 hour notice). The facility will begin scheduling leagues, lessons, and tournaments on the courts in the coming months.
The Multipurpose Fields remain closed to the general public at this time and are scheduled to open in late July 2023.
Questions related to this opening to the public should be sent to 17springs@elmoreco.org.
Project Manager Peters gave an update on 17 Springs as well as the commercial development surrounding the athletic facilities.
“I am sure most of you have been out there and hopefully played pickleball or tennis. It is under a soft opening right now. We have the multi-purpose fields intact, signed off and ready to go. The landscaping is finishing up. The county is finishing up the parking lot. Once that is done and operations are settled in, the city and our partnerships will coordinate a grand opening of the facility. That will be the completion of Phase 1.”
In speaking of the future of Phase 2, Peters said contracting on the project is in the final stages.
“It is going to move quickly.”
Peters pointed out the areas along Hwy. 14 that will be developed for commercial use. He said that Mayor Kelley and Economic Development Director Ann Harper have worked very hard on this. This is in reference to the portion of land that was purchased by the city and Elmore County. This would include the area formerly covered in old vehicles and equipment then moving east along Hwy. 14. The city will spearhead the effort to subdivide and develop the property.
Peters spoke of potential developments within that area, which is seeing a lot of interest, moving west to east. Two areas are targeted for hotels, a number of spaces for mixed use retail, restaurants and medical services. “There has been a lot of momentum in those areas,” Peters said.
He continued, “The 17 Springs project has a direct economic impact along with its recreational opportunities. It is the catalyst for that portion of Hwy. 14 commercial development. That’s been the plan from concept to construction. Now you are seeing the commercial interest really ramp up for the city. It will continue to be a game changer for Millbrook.”
He talked about the main entrance to the overall 17 Springs facility, which will include traffic lights and is yet to be fully constructed. The current entrance will be the secondary entrance. Water and sewer is in place. He also discussed other smaller roads within the property that will be completed by the county or perhaps outside contractors. There will be plenty of sidewalks that connect to the commercial areas.
“So, you can go and have a bite to eat, play games at the field house or the ball fields or other areas,” he said, adding there will be ease of access to the commercial businesses as well as the 17 Springs athletic facilities.
Mayor Kelley added, “The restaurants we have been talking to are pretty much locked in at this point. Once we start construction on the second phase and people can see the movement back there and the city is doing something, it is going to sell like hot cakes. And remember, we own (that section.)”
Peters said the city made a very shrewd decision in purchasing the frontage property that runs along Hwy. 14, including the old auto yard and the immediate property to the east.
“It is invaluable now because of the investments you have made on the back side. As the mayor said, as Phase II gets going and you have Phase 1 fully open, there is going to be a lot of momentum in that area. And also, keep in mind there is the property on the south side of Hwy. 14 as well. There are some strategic properties east and south that are for sale and because of this project, a lot of developers are looking at that. It isn’t just everything you see (on the master plan) but everything around it.”
