Chelsea council approves annexation of 104 acres
Two parcels of land intended for the Chelsea Sports Complex are now in the city boundaries.
At Tuesday’s meeting, the Chelsea City Council approved the annexation of two parcels of land located off of Highway 11, behind Chelsea High School. The land comprises 104 acres and will be used for the Chelsea Sports Complex.
The land was formerly within the City of Pelham’s municipal boundaries, and was de-annexed by Pelham’s City Council earlier this month.
“We had a great relationship with Pelham, getting it de-annexed,” Mayor Earl Niven said. “Very cordial, as I went over there, and got it all worked out.”
Phase I of the sports complex, which includes three baseball fields, a walking trail and a concession stand, is currently underway. Niven said they are now laying the drainage pipe at the sports complex.
Future phases include additional baseball or softball fields, a football field and tennis courts.
During pre-council, the council discussed options for creating a commercial realty database. At the Dec. 1 meeting, a representative from Xceligent made a presentation about its services, which included compiling and updating a database in addition to providing a web tool that shows available commercial properties.
Niven said that he recently spoke with Alabama Power, which could potentially help the City of Chelsea market these properties.
“I had a meeting with the commercial marketing for Alabama Power,” Niven said. “They are starting a program and doing the same thing that Retail Coach, it may not be as in detail, but they are doing the same in representing several cities.”
Niven suggested rather than make a decision between The Retail Coach and Xceligent, the council should hear from Alabama Power at its next meeting. Retail Coach is a service which compiles a database of properties in addition to marketing those properties at shows around the country. Niven added that both Retail Coach and Alabama Power said they believe they could utilize the database compiled by Xceligent for marketing purposes.
Council member Juanita Champion said she believed the marketing aspect offered by Retail Coach would be more beneficial.
“These people are going to fill in these steps, they’re going to market,” Champion said.
Niven said they would listen to Alabama Power before making a decision.
Also at the city council meeting:
- Lt. Cody Sumners said the Chelsea Wrestling Club will host its first tournament this Saturday, Dec. 19. The tournament will be at Chelsea High School from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and involve 5 to 12 year olds.
- David Brady from radio station 96.9 spoke to the council. The station started a few months ago, and Brady said they are hoping to start working with local groups and Chelsea schools to promote different events around the area.
- The council moved to pay this month’s bills.
The next city council meeting is Jan. 12, 2016 at 6 p.m.