Zierdt site entices retail developer

Friday, January 19, 2007

By WENDY REEVES

Times Staff Writer wendy.reeves@htimes.com

Former NFL owner eyes Summit-like plan for Madison

MADISON - A major retail development similar to The Summit in Birmingham is being considered for 450 acres at Zierdt Road and Madison Boulevard.

Mayor Sandy Kirkindall said a development company linked to Edward J. DeBartolo Jr., former owner of the San Francisco 49ers, is looking at the site for a large, upscale retail development.

Kirkindall said the company has drawn a concept sketch for the property so it can make initial contacts with potential tenants, but he doesn't know how many or which stores might be included.

"We don't even know for sure this will happen," Kirkindall said Wednesday. "They have not submitted a plan."

Kirkindall first mentioned the plan publicly Tuesday at a hearing to determine whether nonprofit Huntsville Hospital or private Crestwood Medical Center should build a new hospital in Madison.

Huntsville Hospital lawyers asked him about the proposed development, inferring that sales taxes from such a big project could negate the city's need for taxes from a private hospital. Huntsville Hospital would not pay taxes, while Crestwood, whose plan is supported by city officials, would.

Kirkindall testified that the retail development may hinge on the state's allowing a new Interstate 565 interchange at Zierdt, making it easier for shoppers to get to the project.

"DeBartolo asked me not to share any information about it, and I really don't know anything more than what I said in the hearing," Kirkindall said Wednesday.

Huntsville Planning Director Dallas Fanning said Thursday that no one has approached his office about a potential site for the proposed development, which would be close to the boundary between the cities.

Ed Kobel, president and chief operating officer of DeBartolo Development, couldn't be reached for comment Wednesday or Thursday.

DeBartolo Development, based in Tampa, Fla., develops upscale retail and mixed-use real-estate projects nationwide. Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. founded the company in the 1950s and pioneered the mall concept. His son is the company's chairman.

DeBartolo Jr. bought the 49ers NFL franchise in 1977. In 2000, he turned over his half-interest in the team to his sister, Denise DeBartolo York, with York assuming possession of the 49ers, according to an article in the San Francisco Chronicle. The 49ers' ownership had been uncertain since DeBartolo was involved in a federal corruption probe in New Orleans.

DeBartolo pleaded guilty in 1998 to a felony charge of failing to report that former Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards allegedly extorted $400,000 from him to win a casino license. DeBartolo avoided prison but agreed to pay $1 million in penalties, serve two years of probation and testify in future trials against Edwards and his son, Stephen, key targets in a federal probe into Louisiana's gambling industry.

In 2001, Edwards was sentenced to 10 years in prison on racketeering charges.

Staff writers Steve Doyle, Marian Accardi and John Peck contributed to this report.



Zierdt site entices retail developer Friday, January 19, 2007 By WENDY REEVES Times Staff Writer wendy.reeves@htimes.com Former NFL owner eyes Summit-like plan for Madison MADISON - A major retail development similar to The Summit in Birmingham is being considered for 450 acres at Zierdt Road and Madison Boulevard. Mayor Sandy Kirkindall said a development company linked to Edward J. DeBartolo Jr., former owner of the San Francisco 49ers, is looking at the site for a large, upscale retail development. Kirkindall said the company has drawn a concept sketch for the property so it can make initial contacts with potential tenants, but he doesn't know how many or which stores might be included. "We don't even know for sure this will happen," Kirkindall said Wednesday. "They have not submitted a plan." Kirkindall first mentioned the plan publicly Tuesday at a hearing to determine whether nonprofit Huntsville Hospital or private Crestwood Medical Center should build a new hospital in Madison. Huntsville Hospital lawyers asked him about the proposed development, inferring that sales taxes from such a big project could negate the city's need for taxes from a private hospital. Huntsville Hospital would not pay taxes, while Crestwood, whose plan is supported by city officials, would. Kirkindall testified that the retail development may hinge on the state's allowing a new Interstate 565 interchange at Zierdt, making it easier for shoppers to get to the project. "DeBartolo asked me not to share any information about it, and I really don't know anything more than what I said in the hearing," Kirkindall said Wednesday. Huntsville Planning Director Dallas Fanning said Thursday that no one has approached his office about a potential site for the proposed development, which would be close to the boundary between the cities. Ed Kobel, president and chief operating officer of DeBartolo Development, couldn't be reached for comment Wednesday or Thursday. DeBartolo Development, based in Tampa, Fla., develops upscale retail and mixed-use real-estate projects nationwide. Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. founded the company in the 1950s and pioneered the mall concept. His son is the company's chairman. DeBartolo Jr. bought the 49ers NFL franchise in 1977. In 2000, he turned over his half-interest in the team to his sister, Denise DeBartolo York, with York assuming possession of the 49ers, according to an article in the San Francisco Chronicle. The 49ers' ownership had been uncertain since DeBartolo was involved in a federal corruption probe in New Orleans. DeBartolo pleaded guilty in 1998 to a felony charge of failing to report that former Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards allegedly extorted $400,000 from him to win a casino license. DeBartolo avoided prison but agreed to pay $1 million in penalties, serve two years of probation and testify in future trials against Edwards and his son, Stephen, key targets in a federal probe into Louisiana's gambling industry. In 2001, Edwards was sentenced to 10 years in prison on racketeering charges. Staff writers Steve Doyle, Marian Accardi and John Peck contributed to this report. © 2007 The Huntsville Times © 2007 al.com All Rights Reserved.