By Sarah Stephens
Elmore Autauga News
Tuesday night the Millbrook City Council gave Mayor Al Kelley permission to execute documents with HomeCorp Inc. for the purchase of property along Hwy. 14.
“I apologize for not being able to get with everyone on this, but there have been some pretty intense negotiations behind the scenes,” Millbrook Mayor Al Kelley said.
The mayor explained that there are 14.5 acres directly across from the Marketplace at 17 Springs. The city already owns 10 acres of property in that area. This new property is just north of the Grandview Pointe apartments (formerly The Crossings.) The purchase of the additional 14.5 acres would give the city and Elmore County, a partner in the purchase, more control of what could develop on the property in the future.
“This is 14.5 acres right there near the apartments that adjoins the 10 we already have. So, we would have almost 25 acres there with a lot of Hwy. 14 frontage. With this 14.5 acres, we have had a lot of people come to us with what they would like to put there, like car washes and storage buildings. One wanted to put an RV Park there. None of that would look good right across from 17 Springs,” Mayor Kelley stated.
When the contract ran out on the RV Park project, Mayor Kelley said the city and county made the owner an offer. The county and city will split the cost of the land, which would be $850,000, with each paying $425,000.
“This is a very good price,” Mayor Kelley said. “We will control that property. We do not plan on developing it or building anything now. With 25 acres right there are Hwy. 14, there is a much better chance of something substantial that would want to come in and buy that 25 acres.”
The Mayor said the city will not spend any further money on the property, but will hold it for possible future development from a purchaser/developer.
“It is like the 13 acres we bought where the Marketplace is. Prior to that, we had all these crazy things wanting to come in. I told you all back then, the only way to control it is to buy it.”
He continued saying, “This gives us the opportunity to 14.5 acres. We are only paying half and the county will pay the other half in partnership with us. The county has already approved their part of it last week. So, it may be 10 years down the road, but something good will happen with it.”
