By Gary Lloyd
The Trussville City Council on Tuesday approved incentives and leases for two businesses to occupy the former Food World on Main Street.
Councilman Alan Taylor recused himself from the vote, and Councilman Perry Cook voted no. Councilmen Anthony Montalto, Brian Plant and Buddy Choat voted for the deal.
Triple N Enterprises, which will be a grocery store, and 24e Fitness, were approved.
Trussville’s Downtown Redevelopment Authority earlier this month approved the execution of subleases for the former Food World building.
As part of the approval, the city will spend $912,000 to divide the former Food World into two spaces. The city council also approved abating a portion of the sales tax as an incentive for the grocery store, which amounts to $800,000 over a four-year period.
The move was met with criticism from some Trussville residents, notably other fitness center owners. Anytime Fitness owner Rick Plourde said he had a letter from his attorney, saying he reviewed the legality of the leases.
One resident said the approval of the new businesses and the way they were approved is “cannibalizing” other businesses that have operated in the city for a number of years.
Trussville resident George Glenn said there “is so much illegal in this.” Plant, however, said no illegalities have been involved. He said he had “every confidence in the world” in the city’s attorneys and the attorney for the Downtown Redevelopment Authority.
“I think we’re doing what we have to do,” said Mayor Gene Melton.
Taylor agreed.
“I want to see this city prosper,” he said. “I want to see that happen.”
The city of Trussville has spent about $22,000 per month for rent on the building since leasing it in October 2011. The city spent $250,000 to end a 15-year lease with America’s Thrift Store, which had planned to open a store there.
Plant said the council made the right decision in 2011, now and the deal will be a good one for the city in the future.
“This is not about stopping the bleeding,” Plant said. “This is about stepping up to the plate and doing what we have to do.”
The building has been vacant since 2010.
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.