By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – The Alabaster Commercial Development Agency and City Council took steps over the past week to work toward developing land along the high-traffic Alabama 119 corridor.

During its July 14 meeting, the Alabaster City Council voted unanimously to annex about 3.2 acres across the street from the Montevallo Place apartments into the city. The land, which contains one house, previously was in unincorporated Shelby County.

The 3.2-acre plot fronts Alabama 119, and connects with an about 2.9-acre tract of land already in Alabaster city limits across the street from Thompson Intermediate School. The council voted to de-annex an about 15.3-acre tract behind the 2.9-acre, which likely will be mined by the Cheney Lime company.

With the about 6 acres of Alabama 119 frontage property now in Alabaster city limits, it will allow the city’s CDA to begin marketing the property to potential developers.

All property annexed and de-annexed into the city on July 14 is currently owned by Highway 119 Alabaster, LLC. During a July 8 meeting, the Alabaster CDA approved an option agreement, which will allow the CDA the option of purchasing the about 6 acres of Alabama 119 frontage property from Highway 119 Alabaster, LLC at an agreed-upon price.

The option purchase price was not made public by the CDA.

“At any point, the CDA can purchase that property from Highway 119 Alabaster, LLC at that pre-approved price,” said Alabaster City Attorney Jeff Brumlow, noting the CDA has the right to market the property to potential developers.

Alabaster Mayor Marty Handlon said the city is looking to draw businesses to serve the thousands of Alabaster residents who travel along Alabama 119 every day.

“Highway 119 is a high-traffic corridor,” Handlon said. “We hope to help develop that to give citizens more opportunities to eat on that side of town.

“And the option gives the CDA a bit of control over which businesses come there,” Handlon added.