F’dale Chamber hears development update

Published 9:06 am Wednesday, October 1, 2008

By Adam Smith

The North Jefferson News



Members of Fultondale’s business community received an update on the city’s commercial development recently.

City councilman Greg Morris was a guest speaker at the Sept. 23 Fultondale Chamber of Commerce meeting at the new La Quinta Inn and Suites and spoke about economic development plans.

Two Fultondale businesses are scheduled to officially open this week. Full Moon was scheduled to host a ribbon cutting ceremony this morning, while JC Penney will hold its grand opening on Friday at 8 a.m.

Additionally, Morris talked about other future restaurants, including Applebees, which recently applied for permits through the city and Stix Japanese restaurant, which is scheduled to open in early October. Applebee’s will be located beside Zaxby’s on Morris Avenue.

“We’re becoming a destination,” Morris said. “Whoever thought Fultondale would become a destination? But we’re beginning to look that way.”

Morris also touched on other future developments, including the next phase of the Colonial shopping center. He said while the next phase “is still on target,” the downturn in the national economy will push back the starting date of the project six to eight months.

While not officially naming any stores, Morris did name-drop Office Depot, Kohl’s and mentioned the possibility of a large sporting goods store.

Morris said the city may also look at landing a large retail discount store as part of its continued development.

“There’s not a Sam’s store locally, but the one in Trussville,” he said. “It would also be a great to have a Home Depot, but they’re not spending.”

The councilman also talked about the city’s recent decision to increase sales tax by 1 cent to aid other projects like the building of a new middle school, library, a conference center and improvements to U.S. 31.

“These aren’t projects you can do overnight,” he said. “Mayor Lowery has done a great job. We are very fortunate and very blessed.”