By Hannah Curran, Editor
TRUSSVILLE — The Trussville City Council approved the alcohol license application for Velma’s and the economic development incentive for a new Home2 Suites hotel during the council meeting on Thursday, Dec. 22.
Tammy and Royce Butler were present during the council meeting to discuss the return of Trussville’s iconic Velma’s.
“Our idea is to bring Velma’s back as close to what it was under the same name, in the same building,” Royce said. “Obviously, the building’s a little different now than what it used to be, which is a good thing because we need more space. So we’re going to continue the same basics that Velma’s had, the same basics and drinks, hopefully, the signature burger that everybody always asks about.”
Related Story: The iconic Velma’s is making its return to Trussville
Royce said they are working to get as close to the original as they can, which includes bringing back karaoke. They hope to create a fun, friendly atmosphere.
Velma’s will be a 21 and up bar that will have security/bouncers at the entrances checking IDs, along with having the employees trained to check IDs before serving alcohol.
Tammy explained that they hope to have Velma’s operating from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. during the week and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
The Trussville City Council also approved the economic development incentive for a new Home2 Suites hotel at 6360 Misty Ridge Drive.
“The City encourages and supports economic development within the City to develop and maintain a strong local economy, increase employment opportunities, broaden the City’s tax base, and increase tax revenues allowing the City to provide greater services to residents of the City and to improve the quality of life of its resident,” the resolution states.
Mayor Buddy Choat said that this agreement is for a Home2 Suites hotel that will be four stories tall and possibly 97 rooms on Service Road and Misty Ridge Drive. The property is already zoned appropriately; then, the owner, Rupesh Patel (Mansa-TRH, LLC), came before BZA last year wanting to build two hotels.
“The other site was not conditioned to build, but this site is, and so they meet all the requirements,” Choat said. “They are expected to have a $14 million investment in the hotel. As we have done with other new businesses to try to help developers like Mr. Patel. We’ve agreed to share the lodging tax, which is new. Normally we share the sales tax.”
The lodging tax is currently 6%. So for the first five years of this development agreement, the hotel will get four cents of the six cents. Then the remaining five years, the city and the hotel will split it three cents each, and 10 years according to Patel’s figures, would get him the million-dollar compensation if provided that the hotel performs or even outperforms it could be sooner.
“The exception would be if the city ever raised the lodging tax to anything above 6%, the four cents and three cents will remain with the agreement regardless if we go up,” Choat said. “Mr. Patel understands that and has agreed to that. We think it will be a welcomed addition; we need hotel space. We run out when we have events here and appreciate him considering Trussville.”
Patel explained to the council that this will be the first extended stay all-suite hotel that is by Hilton.
“So this just brings a fresh perspective,” Patel said. “This is an all-suite hotel and is different than a normal hotel; all the rooms will have a kitchen. Plus, the larger rooms will provide for all the people traveling here for sports and events; they just have a lot more space. I think this will be a perfect addition, and we’re excited to be part of this.”
Patel said the hotel’s design plans should be drawn up by June 2023; as soon as all the design plans are approved, it will take around two years to construct the hotel.
In other news, the council approved the following:
- Proclamation Declaring Trussville a Trafficking Free Zone;
- Ordinance to Annex 5211 & 5219 Kirby Lane;
- Appoint Tres Dotson to the Industrial Development Authority, replacing Alan Friday, with a term ending July 14, 2025;
- Resolution to Approve Velmas Alcohol License Application;
- Resolution to Approve Lodging Tax Economic Development Deal; and
- Resolution to Approve Fire Truck Repair Expense – Two Exceptions to State Competitive Bid Law.
The next Trussville City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 10, at 10 p.m., at the City Hall Annex, located at 113 North Chalkville Road.