By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

PELHAM—The City of Pelham officially has a Commercial Development Authority, as the City Council unanimously approved the new board and appointed its five members during a April 7 City Council meeting.

“We have been working toward this for a long time,” said City Council President Rick Hayes. “We are excited for what it can do and all the opportunities it can bring to the city.”

The Pelham City Council moved to disband the previous Industrial Development Board in favor of a CDA in early March, reflecting the desire to attract more commercial retail to the city.

According to city officials, the CDA will allow the city to pursue a wider range of commercial opportunities than the previous IDB, most immediately, the development of a retail shopping site on U.S. 31 across from what will be the Summer Classics headquarters.

The City Council officially appointed Tracey Morant Adams and Thomas Martin to one-year terms, expiring in March 2015, and Clay Alford, Lenny Glenn and current Pelham Interim School Superintendent Dr. Tim Alford to three-year terms, expiring March 2017.