The Peaks touted for Madison mall

Thursday, October 25, 2007

By WENDY REEVES

wendy.reeves@htimes.com

Developer, city showoff at shopping center conference in Atlanta

Times Staff Writer

ATLANTA - Though little has been said in public recently about plans for a controversial mall site in Madison, DeBartolo Development was promoting the 1.6 million-square-foot project off Zierdt Road at a retail conference here this week as The Peaks at South Chase.

"One of our development officers is still working with the landowner on that site," said Mark Hammer, a development manager for DeBartolo Development, on Wednesday at the International Council of Shopping Centers' (ICSC) Southeastern Conference.

"We're working hard at it, looking for tenants," Hammer said. A brochure was available on the proposed site, which was among about a dozen possible DeBartolo developments on display.

The proposed DeBartolo mall and residential site, south of Interstate 565 at Zierdt Road, is owned by local developer Louis Breland. After a failed attempt this year to deannex the property from Madison into Huntsville by legislative act, there's been little publicity about what's happening with the proposed development.

However, Breland has been meeting individually with Madison City Council members to discuss options for the plan.

"Not much has changed," Councilman Tommy Overcash said recently.

Madison Mayor Sandy Kirkindall was so busy at the booth he and aide Jessica Bradley set up for Madison at the convention, he didn't have time to trek over to visit the DeBartolo representatives on Wednesday.

The retail convention was at the Georgia World Congress Center and featured more than 400 booths and more than 4,000 attendees.

That's where Kirkindall and Bradley spent six hours Wednesday talking with retailers, developers and representatives from other cities. It was Kirkindall's third time to attend. It cost the city about $2,500.

"I feel good about it," Kirkindall said. "The whole idea is to raise awareness of our terrific demographic."

That means the city's 40,000 residents, who have an average household income of $105,000 and where 69 percent of adult residents have at least a bachelor's degree.

"It's very strong" demographically, said Mark Cravens, acquisitions director of Common Wealth Development of Florida, based in Tampa. He represents small- and medium-sized retail outlets like specialty boutiques, and also develops small office parks.

Cravens said in addition to good demographics, the red tape in Madison and Huntsville is much easier to cut than in other areas.

"Right now, I have a development that's taken 22 months to get the permitting in Tampa," Cravens said. "I can do eight to 10 in an area like (North Alabama) in that time frame."

His company is looking at North Alabama and southern Tennessee, he said.

Others already know about the area.

"I love Madison and this part of the country," said Bob Flowers, president of Wolf Ridge Properties in Jackson, Miss. He stopped by to give Kirkindall an update on a 400-plus acre development he's planning to build in Madison, though he declined to give specifics.

"There is a lot of opportunity in Madison," Flowers said. "There's been a lot of residential growth but not retail growth, so it's just right."

The new County Line Road/I-565 interchange is also a big deal for business, he said.

"The proximity to the airport and overall it's just a great location and a lot of positive things are happening there," Flowers said.

Local developer John Blue didn't have a booth, but he and associate Herman Thomason walked around the conference looking for potential retailers and restaurants for a retail center he's planning in Jones Valley.

St. James Place, Blue said, will be on Cecil Ashburn Drive between Jones Valley and Big Cove. It will have the look and feel of the French Quarter in New Orleans or downtown Charleston.

Blue said plans for another new development he's working on in Madison, to be called Main Street, should be finalized in a few weeks. It will be on Hughes Road, near the Kroger shopping center.

"What the mayor's doing here will make it" happen faster, Blue said.

Alabama had more municipalities represented at the conference than any other state - and it was noticed.

In addition to Madison, the cities of Boaz, Guntersville, Albertville and Arab also are attending. Several other towns from the southern part of the state were there, too, as well as mayors, including Allan Lowe of Columbiana.

"Alabama is here in a big way," said Lonnie Mimms Jr., chief executive officer of Mimms Enterprises, a real estate investments firm in the Atlanta area.

"It's so refreshing not to be viewed as the evil giant because the fact is growth in the commercial industry keeps residential taxes lower," Mimms said.

Seeing Alabama cities promoting themselves, he said, shows him that "Alabama is very positive and pro-business."

"We'd love to come to Alabama," Mimms said.



The Peaks touted for Madison mall Thursday, October 25, 2007 By WENDY REEVES wendy.reeves@htimes.com Developer, city showoff at shopping center conference in Atlanta Times Staff Writer ATLANTA - Though little has been said in public recently about plans for a controversial mall site in Madison, DeBartolo Development was promoting the 1.6 million-square-foot project off Zierdt Road at a retail conference here this week as The Peaks at South Chase. "One of our development officers is still working with the landowner on that site," said Mark Hammer, a development manager for DeBartolo Development, on Wednesday at the International Council of Shopping Centers' (ICSC) Southeastern Conference. "We're working hard at it, looking for tenants," Hammer said. A brochure was available on the proposed site, which was among about a dozen possible DeBartolo developments on display. The proposed DeBartolo mall and residential site, south of Interstate 565 at Zierdt Road, is owned by local developer Louis Breland. After a failed attempt this year to deannex the property from Madison into Huntsville by legislative act, there's been little publicity about what's happening with the proposed development. However, Breland has been meeting individually with Madison City Council members to discuss options for the plan. "Not much has changed," Councilman Tommy Overcash said recently. Madison Mayor Sandy Kirkindall was so busy at the booth he and aide Jessica Bradley set up for Madison at the convention, he didn't have time to trek over to visit the DeBartolo representatives on Wednesday. The retail convention was at the Georgia World Congress Center and featured more than 400 booths and more than 4,000 attendees. That's where Kirkindall and Bradley spent six hours Wednesday talking with retailers, developers and representatives from other cities. It was Kirkindall's third time to attend. It cost the city about $2,500. "I feel good about it," Kirkindall said. "The whole idea is to raise awareness of our terrific demographic." That means the city's 40,000 residents, who have an average household income of $105,000 and where 69 percent of adult residents have at least a bachelor's degree. "It's very strong" demographically, said Mark Cravens, acquisitions director of Common Wealth Development of Florida, based in Tampa. He represents small- and medium-sized retail outlets like specialty boutiques, and also develops small office parks. Cravens said in addition to good demographics, the red tape in Madison and Huntsville is much easier to cut than in other areas. "Right now, I have a development that's taken 22 months to get the permitting in Tampa," Cravens said. "I can do eight to 10 in an area like (North Alabama) in that time frame." His company is looking at North Alabama and southern Tennessee, he said. Others already know about the area. "I love Madison and this part of the country," said Bob Flowers, president of Wolf Ridge Properties in Jackson, Miss. He stopped by to give Kirkindall an update on a 400-plus acre development he's planning to build in Madison, though he declined to give specifics. "There is a lot of opportunity in Madison," Flowers said. "There's been a lot of residential growth but not retail growth, so it's just right." The new County Line Road/I-565 interchange is also a big deal for business, he said. "The proximity to the airport and overall it's just a great location and a lot of positive things are happening there," Flowers said. Local developer John Blue didn't have a booth, but he and associate Herman Thomason walked around the conference looking for potential retailers and restaurants for a retail center he's planning in Jones Valley. St. James Place, Blue said, will be on Cecil Ashburn Drive between Jones Valley and Big Cove. It will have the look and feel of the French Quarter in New Orleans or downtown Charleston. Blue said plans for another new development he's working on in Madison, to be called Main Street, should be finalized in a few weeks. It will be on Hughes Road, near the Kroger shopping center. "What the mayor's doing here will make it" happen faster, Blue said. Alabama had more municipalities represented at the conference than any other state - and it was noticed. In addition to Madison, the cities of Boaz, Guntersville, Albertville and Arab also are attending. Several other towns from the southern part of the state were there, too, as well as mayors, including Allan Lowe of Columbiana. "Alabama is here in a big way," said Lonnie Mimms Jr., chief executive officer of Mimms Enterprises, a real estate investments firm in the Atlanta area. "It's so refreshing not to be viewed as the evil giant because the fact is growth in the commercial industry keeps residential taxes lower," Mimms said. Seeing Alabama cities promoting themselves, he said, shows him that "Alabama is very positive and pro-business." "We'd love to come to Alabama," Mimms said. © 2007 The Huntsville Times © 2007 al.com All Rights Reserved.