Mayor: Bass Pro proposal still months away

FLORENCE -- Mayor Bobby Irons said developers need more time to finish a proposal for a Bass Pro Shop development in Veterans Park.

Anniston-based Southeast Capital Investments answered Irons' call in October to further study the financial feasibility of a Bass Pro development with accompanying retail stores.

Irons said Capital Investments officials are trying to find larger developers to work on the proposal but that has yet to materialize.

Capital Investments has told him there are interested parties, Irons said.

"We've got a little time. We want to make sure to look at all of our options. We'll eventually have to draw the line."

David Bronner, head of the Retirement Systems of Alabama, reportedly favors the Bass Pro development.

RSA, the city and the Public Park Authority of the Shoals have an agreement to find an attraction for Veterans Park, which is supposed to be open within two years of the opening of the Shoals Marriott Hotel & Spa.

Irons said he has not received any pressure from Bronner about finalizing the project in Veterans Park.

"Dr. Bronner is working to make sure we get the right fit," Irons said. "He's really interested in the Shoals area. He's one of our biggest supporters right now as far as economic development."

As for how much time Irons is willing to give Southeast Capital Investments, he said the developers must be given "a reasonable amount of time ... probably two or three months."

Early talks by some city and community leaders included discussion of up to $20 million in taxpayer incentives for the outdoors retail giant.

Getting other private investors may lower or negate any liability by the city, but officials won't know until Southeast Capital returns with its proposal.

Bass Pro bills itself as a tourist attraction and usually seeks $20 million to $40 million in incentives from local governments.

Larger retail competitors to Bass Pro, however, say the company's aggressive expansion plans make the tourism argument, and thus government incentives, moot.

Bass Pro has been active throughout the state and the region. The company, which already operates a store in Memphis, is in negotiations with that city to take control of the Pyramid. Bass Pro has stores in Nashville and Pearl, Miss.

Bass Pro developments in other parts of Alabama have been pushed back. Announced two years ago, a proposed Leeds store, outside of Birmingham, pushed back its opening date to April 2007.

That's also the month a Bass Pro store in Prattville, outside Montgomery, is slated to open.

Spanish Fort's Bass Pro development also has hit snags.

Irons said he is not discouraged by troubles in Bass Pro developments in other parts of the state.

"We've had such a hard time getting our ducks in a row," Irons said.

A study requested by Irons and completed by three University of North Alabama professors in October showed the city could lose more than $14 million if it gave incentives that would total $17.9 million.

Irons said that study did not incorporate the multiple retail stores that follow Bass Pro developments across the country.

The professors later countered that the basis of the study still applies, saying there is only so much buying power in a community and additional retail will not increase that. The only impact will be on other local businesses.

Irons said the city needs to see what options are available for a Bass Pro and not rule out any other possibilities. The city council would vote on any proposal, and most council members are taking a wait-and-see approach to the Bass Pro proposal.

Todd Twilley can be reached at 740-5728 or todd.twilley@timesdaily.com.