By Gary Lloyd
TRUSSVILLE — The Trussville City Council on Thursday, Nov. 6 will not consider rezoning a stretch of land along U.S. Highway 11 that could be the site of a shopping center development.
The rezoning of 1941 Gadsden Highway through 2101 Gadsden Highway was on the agenda for last week’s meeting, but was taken off it.
The rezoning would be from commercial to planned unit development. The city council in May voted to rezone the same area, roughly 27 acres, to commercial after an hourlong public hearing.
The Trussville City Council
file photo by Gary Lloyd
Blackwater Resources has an option on the stretch of U.S. Highway 11 starting at Gloria’s Hair Salon and up to and including the boarded-up house across from the Tutwiler Farm subdivision entrance.
Trussville City Clerk Lynn Porter said in January that the company had about 70 percent of the space spoken for with no duplication of retailers already in Trussville. Blackwater Resources has not disclosed who the retailers are. The shopping center space could cover more than 290,000 square feet, generate $45 million in sales and create 550 jobs, according to the company.
The potential shopping center would have three access points. A new traffic light would likely be constructed at the Calumet Downs entrance.
Many Calumet Downs residents voiced their opposition to the possible shopping center in May. Most cited traffic congestion and diminishing property values as reasons not to have a development across from their subdivision.
“I feel like we’re paving Trussville from one end to the other,” a Dew Gardens resident said.
Councilman Anthony Montalto said traffic will continue to increase in Trussville.
“People want to come to Trussville,” he said in May. “If they live here, they want to shop here.”
One Trussville resident said crime will increase with another shopping center. Another said Trussville doesn’t need any more big box retailers.
According to Blackwater Resources’ website, the company has managed and leased properties at the Vestavia City Center, Patton Creek in Hoover, the River Trace Shopping Center in Gadsden, the Northside Mall in Dothan and the Market Shoppes in Decatur.
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.
