From The Tribune staff reports
PELL CITY — St. Clair County Economic Development Council held a groundbreaking ceremony for Pell City Square, a 147,000-square-foot multi-use lifestyle center, on Thursday, September 8, at 9 a.m. at the corner of Interstate 20 and U.S. 231, where the St. Clair County Hospital site was located. They celebrated the beginning of construction on its newest shopping center, Pell City Square.
“The County Commission has a history of supporting our communities to create new tax revenues and jobs in St. Clair County,” said Paul Manning, Chairman of the St. Clair County Commission. “We believe this project will allow us to continue to grow St. Clair County’s economy while filling a retail need in the community.
Pell City Square is by Noon Development, headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and is the largest retail investment announcement in St. Clair County since the Springville Station development in 2005.
“Today’s groundbreaking represents the culmination of several years of dedication and perseverance through unprecedented times. We are grateful for the City and County Leadership’s commitment to see their vision through and enable Noon Real Estate to deliver such a retail amenity to the community,” said Kevin Jennings, President of Noon Real Estate.
Tenants in the new development already announced are Hobby Lobby, TJ Maxx, Ross Dress For Less, Old Navy, Five Below, Ulta Beauty, PetSmart, Rack Room Shoes, and other unnamed retailers.
“The City of Pell City is glad to see many years of efforts come to fruition in this project,” said Mayor Bill Pruitt. “We have had some ups and downs with the retail market and COVID issues that were outside of our control. Pell City Square will fill a retail need in our community and will attract shoppers from surrounding areas to come and experience what Pell City has to offer.”
The development fronting Interstate 20 is a partnership of the St. Clair County Commission, the City of Pell City, Noon Real Estate, and the St. Clair Economic Development Council.
“The construction of the Pell City Square development is transformational for the City and its residents,” said City Manager Brian Muenger. “The addition these national retailers will provide our citizens with more options to shop locally than ever before.”
This property came under the ownership of the St. Clair County Commission and the City of Pell City in 2011 in order to enable the building of St. Vincent’s St. Clair. After years of careful planning and negotiation, it was agreed that the site’s highest and best use would be realized in the agreement made with Noon Real Estate. The goal of the project is to bring to the St. Clair County economy the missing retailers to keep shoppers in the County that are otherwise going to other areas.
In concert with the groundbreaking ceremony, the City of Pell City announced the dedication of the US 231 bridge crossing Interstate 20 to William C. Ellison. After 40 years of work in the Pell City community as the commercial development orchestrator behind the Bankhead Marketplace and South Park Center shopping centers anchored by Wal-Mart and Publix. Over 40 percent of the tax revenues generated in the City of Pell City are generated via the work of Ellison.
“Being recognized by my peers, family, and friends today is the highest honor of my 40- year career,” said William C. Ellison, President and CEO of I-20 Development. “This bridge symbolizes how past, current, and future administrations can all work together to create incredible projects for the community. I put my heart and soul into my work every day because I love Pell City.”