By Carmen Rodgers
Elmore Autauga News
Local and county leaders joined developers, stakeholders, and community members this week to mark the official groundbreaking of Riverfell, a $500 million mixed-use development set to transform the region along the Alabama River.
This project has undergone a lengthy planning phase, and when developers first presented the plans to the Elmore County Commission, the bold vision made a strong impression.
“Some of the words we used were wow and aggressive. But here we are today, and it’s a very exciting day for Elmore County and also for the City of Prattville,” Chairman of the Elmore County Commission Bart Mercer said.
Located beside the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Capitol Hill, the 232-acre Riverfell project will bring a mix of residential, commercial, medical, and hospitality offerings to the City of Prattville. The master-planned community is designed to promote walkability and connectivity, with a pedestrian-friendly town center serving as its core.
“Thank you for being a part of Prattville,” Mayor Bill Gillespie said. “These mixed-use opportunities for our citizens are a statement of commitment to structured growth and fulfilling a need in our community. Riverfell isn’t just about buildings, it’s about people. It’s about creating jobs, welcoming families, supporting small businesses, and enhancing the quality of life for everyone who calls Prattville home, not only Prattville but the surrounding areas.”
Plans for Riverfell include more than 450 single-family homes, 92,000 square feet of boutique retail and dining, and up to 200,000 square feet of commercial space. The development will also house three Class-A medical towers totaling 160,000 square feet, a 120-bed assisted living facility, a branded daycare and early childhood development center, and a boutique hotel offering spa services, fine dining, and event venues.
Recognizing the land’s potential, developers began shaping a plan to bring the vision of Riverfell to life—one that would ultimately require collaboration among several entities to make it a reality.
“I can’t tell you how powerful it is to stand on a piece of land and imagine what it may become. And Riverfell began as a kind of vision,” Riverfell Developer Bradley Neave said. “It’s not rooted in certainty, but it’s rooted in belief, the belief that this land can be thoughtfully planned, beautifully built, and meaningfully lived in. But that belief requires more than ambition. It requires faith, patience, and shared understanding.”
Construction on the first phase is expected to begin soon, with full buildout projected over the next 5 to 10 years.
Riverfell has already generated strong interest from investors and national businesses, due in part to its designation as an Opportunity Zone — a federal program that provides tax incentives for long-term investments in underserved areas. Once completed, it is anticipated to be one of the largest single-site Opportunity Zone projects in the country.
For more details on the Riverfell development, visit www.halieus.com.
