Proposed shopping complex at park sparked controversy

FLORENCE -- A decision by Tennessee Valley Authority officials to prohibit residential and retail developments on its lands ended a controversial proposal to build a shopping complex at Veterans Park.

Almost a month after TVA directors made their decision to protect the utility’s lands, the future of Veterans Park remains uncertain. TVA owns the park, which Florence is allowed to use under a recreation easement.

An agreement between the city of Florence, Public Park Authority of the Shoals and the Retirement Systems of Alabama called for an attraction to be built at the park, which overlooks Wilson Dam. The attraction is to help draw tourists to the nearby Marriott Shoals Hotel and Spa and a pair of Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail courses in Colbert County that were built by RSA.

A proposal for a shopping mall anchored by a Bass Pro Shops store at the park sparked intense debate in the Shoals. So intense, in fact, that the issue was voted the fourth most important story of 2006 by TimesDaily reporters and editors.

When TVA board members adopted the new policy for managing the utility’s 293,000 acres of public land along its reservoirs Nov. 30, any hopes for building a retail development at the park were derailed. Now, the debate focuses on what kind of attraction should be placed at the park to meet the obligations of the agreement with RSA.

Florence Mayor Bobby Irons said the new TVA restrictions limit any attraction at the park to something that is recreation based.

The attraction would also likely need financial backing from RSA or a developer.

He said the city cannot afford to develop the park.

"The city already has $10 million committed to phase one of the new sports plex and $2 million to the new swimming pool," Irons said. "Phase two of the sports plex will be at least another $5 million. I don't see us being able to commit any more money to recreation."

The agreement with RSA calls for the Public Park Authority to provide $2 million for developing an attraction at the park. The money would come from a special tax being collected on motor fuels sold in the Shoals.

Charles Rose, of Sheffield, president of the Shoals Environmental Alliance, a vocal opponent of efforts to build a shopping complex in Veterans Park, said Florence officials should have a meeting to solicit ideas about creating an attraction at the park.

"The citizens should be involved in deciding the future of the park."

Irons said residents with suggestions for developing the park should contact RSA officials in Montgomery.

David Bronner, CEO of the Retirement Systems of Alabama, has received numerous ideas ranging from an ice skating rink to a minor league baseball stadium.

Irons said city leaders are open to hearing suggestions for developing the park, but the ultimate decision for what is built there would have to be approved by RSA officials.

Dennis Sherer can be reached at 740-5746 or dennis.sherer@timesdaily.com.