Council Approves Development Incentive that will bring Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse to Exit 158

On Monday, December 23, 2024, the City Council for the City of Pell City approved an incentive package to help secure two new restaurants for the community – Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse.

“Residents regularly tell me that new dining options should be high on our list of priorities, so I’m very pleased to announce that two fantastic new restaurants are considering our city,” Mayor Bill Pruitt said. “This is a major win for our community, bringing new dining options, jobs, and economic growth.”

National restaurant brands Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse are in a due diligence period to consider occupying sites along US 231 at the intersection of I-20.

The $6+ million development is located along US Highway 231 and Hazelwood Dr., near the ramp to I-20 West.

Developers W.C.E. LLC and E&R Properties Inc. requested City assistance with site preparation and utility relocation costs for the project.  Using the incentives, the developers propose to prepare four build-ready parcels, which cover 8.73 acres.

“Through this incentive, the City anticipates additional commercial development at the site, beyond the two named restaurants,” City Manager Brian Muenger said. “Most national tenants require interstate visibility, so it is important that the City maximize the opportunity this land provides.

The City anticipates $10 million in combined annual sales from the two restaurants.

The public hearing on the incentive package is a small portion of a years-long recruitment process. Olive Garden and LongHorn are currently in the due diligence period of the development process.

Goodgame Company Enters Low Bid for City’s New Fire Station on US 231

The City of Pell City is relocating Pell City Fire Department’s Fire Station #2 from adjacent to the Pell City Civic Center to a freestanding location on US 231. The new fire station will be constructed on the vacant lot north of the Celebrations event center.

The move comes in anticipation of future growth around Lake Logan Martin and US 231, providing an enhanced location to reduce emergency response times.  

A 3D rendering by CMH Architects of Birmingham of the new PCFD Fire Station #2

The new Fire Station #2 was designed by CMH Architects of Birmingham. On Monday, December 23, 2024, the City Council for the City of Pell City approved the contract for the construction of the project to Goodgame Company of Pell City, which submitted a low bid of $8,277,500.

The City received six bids for the construction of the station.  City Manager Brian Muenger said the bid process was extremely competitive, with less than a 6 percent differential in cost between the lowest four bids submitted, and that each of those four bids was below the City’s pre-bid estimate.

“We are very comfortable with the level of competition, and the project came in substantially under budget,” said Blake Nelson, Senior Vice President of CMH Architects. “We have worked with Goodgame Co. on a number of projects, and we are very confident in their ability to deliver to the required scope.”

Bids opened on December 17, 2024
  • Goodgame Co. – $8.28 million (Certified Low Bid)
  • Kyser Construction – $8.44 million
  • Dominguez Design-Build Inc. – $8.71 million
  • Greer Building Contractors – $8.74 million
  • Wayne Davis Construction – $10.5 million
  • Mike Morgan Industrial, LLC – 10.54 million

The competitively bid portion of the project also includes a contingency of $200,000.00, which can be tapped into for unforeseen items that arise during construction.

Outfitting the new station with equipment and furniture will cost approximately $318,000, bringing the estimated total project cost to $8,595,500.

Construction of the 16,600-square-foot facility is expected to begin on or around February 1, 2025. Construction is anticipated to take 16 months, placing place the date of completion on or around May 1, 2026.

“This is pretty exciting for Pell City Fire Department,” Pell City Fire Chief Tim Kurzejeski said. “This is a project we’ve been working on for two to three years, and it’s a huge part of where we’re headed as a department and as a community.”

A 3D rendering by CMH Architects of Birmingham of the new PCFD Fire Station #2

Garbage Collection schedule adjusted for Christmas, New Year’s Day

Meridian Waste, Pell City’s solid waste collection service provider, will operate its normal routes and hours on Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24, 2024, and New Year’s Eve, Tuesday, December 31, 2024.

Collection services will not run on Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25, 2024, or New Year’s Day, January 1, 2025. Collection services will be offset by one day (Wednesday pickup will move to Thursday, etc.)

Questions should be directed to Pell City Street Department Superintendent Greg Gossett at ggossett@cityofpellcity.net or by phone at (205) 884-8267.

Winners announced for 2024 Lights in the Park Contest

This year, Pell City saw a new spin on an old tradition, as Lights in the Park added a contest to select the best holiday-themed displays.

Presented annually by the Pell City Parks & Recreation Department, this year’s event saw more than 80 entries take over Lakeside Park during the holiday season. The Department collected hundreds of votes from attendees and assembled a special committee to select the winner.

“The Pell City Parks & Recreation Department would like to express its sincere gratitude to all participants, visitors, and voters of the inaugural ‘Lights in the Park’ Holiday Competition,” said Civic Center Manager and Contest Organizer Valerie Painter. “We commend the community for their enthusiastic participation and thoughtful voting.”

And now, without further ado, the winners are:

Overall Winner: Woody’s Tree Service

  • Anna Otterson / Edward Jones: Silent Night Award – Simple and clean display
  • Jessica Blackerby / EXP Realty: White Christmas Award – Best use of white lights
  • Woody’s Tree Service: Deck the Halls Award – Most over-the-top use of lighting
  • Clean Haul Roll-Off: Christmas is in the Air Award – Best use of inflatables
  • House of Prayer: The Reason for the Season Award – Best Nativity display
  • Faith Community Fellowship: Holly Jolly Christmas Award – Best display that makes you laugh
  • Alabama Clearing & Excavating: Rock Around the Christmas Tree Award – Best use of animation
  • Metro Bank: The Rudolph Award – Best use of holiday characters
  • Girl Scouts Troop 24216: Christmas Story Award – Best youth inspired display

The 2024 Lights in the Park award winners will receive additional promotions through Discover and LakeLife 24/7 (Digital and Print). In addition, these winners will have the opportunity to select their locations in the Park for next year’s competition!

“The warmth of our community and the wonder of the Christmas season combine every year for ‘Lights in the Park.’ It’s heartwarming to see Pell City come together to create such a magical experience. Congratulations to the winners, and thank you to everyone involved.”

Lights in the Park at Lakeside Park in Pell City will remain open through the New Year.

City employees help Lighten the Load for children entering foster care

On Friday, Dec. 6, the City of Pell City concluded its annual “Lighten the Load” fundraising campaign by donating 15 suitcases each stocked with blankets, toys and essential care items to the St. Clair County Department of Human Resources (DHR).

Lighten the Load is a holiday campaign that collects suitcases for the DHR, ensuring that children entering the foster care system don’t have to carry their belongings in a trash bag. In its fourth year supporting Lighten the Load, City employees donated more than any previous year.

“It’s heartbreaking to think of these little ones facing such a difficult transition, and our contributions can help soften that experience,” Human Resources Director Dawn Childre said. “I know we’re making a real difference.”

Along with generous donations from employees and various departments, the campaign also received a significant contribution from the Alpine Bay Men’s Golf Association, which helped in surpassing last year’s donation totals.

Pictured: City employees transfer donated items for 2024 Lighten the Load to employees of TempForce Pell City, which works in conjunction with DHR to facilitate the annual fundraising campaign around St. Clair County.