Cramer urges fairness in development on 422 arsenal acres

U.S. Rep. Bud Cramer stopped short Wednesday of endorsing a city proposal to annex 422 acres of Redstone Arsenal now slated for private development, but he did say businesses that build there shouldn't have an unfair advantage over existing city businesses.

Huntsville leaders want to annex the property on the arsenal's edge off Rideout Road because any business built on the federal property would not have to pay sales or property taxes.

Cramer, D-Huntsville, said city businesses need to be protected during negotiations between the Army and representatives from LW Redstone - the developer chosen to manage the property.

"This process has to be thorough. That is one of the most valuable parcels of land in North Alabama," Cramer said. "It's within sight of (Interstate 565) and aerospace companies would love to build on it because it puts them very close to the arsenal.

"Every issue has to be weighed thoroughly because these are decisions that will affect Redstone and Huntsville in the years to come."

Cramer has discussed the issue with both Maj. Gen. Jim Pillsbury, commander of the Army Aviation and Missile Command on Redstone, and with Mayor Loretta Spencer "and I understand why the city has concerns," he said.

"If retail businesses or even fast-food restaurants locate there, they would put other similar business in Huntsville or nearby at a unfair disadvantage," Cramer said.

Spencer recently sent two letters to Redstone Garrison Commander Col. John Olshefski. One asked that the Army consider allowing Huntsville to annex the 422 acres that the Army plans to lease to a private developer; the other asked that the city play an active role in the Army's negotiations with the developer.

Olshefski's office is preparing a response for the city about taking part in negotiations and forwarded the request for annexation to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Baltimore District office, he said in an interview with Times reporters and editors Tuesday.

Army leaders hope the lease plan will be a bonus for Redstone because the proposal calls for the developer to make its lease payments in "in kind" work, such as paying for arsenal improvements such as new fences and roads.

"That type of lease arrangement will be very beneficial to Redstone," Cramer said.

Olshefski said he is negotiating with the developer to determine if part of the lease proceeds could be spread among Huntsville and other Tennessee Valley communities that support Redstone. He said he won't allow anything to be approved that's detrimental to Redstone or the city.

The 50-year lease plan calls for LW Redstone to build and manage office space, an educational building to house advanced classes for arsenal employees, and possibly a small entertainment area.

Olshefski said Army leaders do not want a large-scale retail outlet at the site, though a few small businesses such as a coffee or sandwich shop have not been ruled out.