Photo by David Atchison, Daily Home

PELL CITY – The Pell City council and St. Clair County Commission have approved an option agreement with Bill Ellison, Southside Land Venture, LLC, who now has up to three years to purchase the former county hospital property for a commercial retail development.

The council approved the agreement Monday night, and the County Commission gave its seal of approval at its Tuesday morning meeting.

Ellison, who is originally from Lexington, Ky., has brought major commercial retailers to Pell City, including Walmart, The Home Depot, Walgreens and Publix, along with stores and restaurants that surround those businesses.

Ellison will market the hospital property for commercial development, with the option to buy the approximately 19 acres for $4 million.

“Buyer (Ellison) shall utilize the Marketing Products, and other marketing materials and efforts, to market the Property to retailers and other commercial developers for development consistent with the zoning ordinance of the City,” the agreement states. “Buyer shall use his best commercial efforts to market the property during the term of this option agreement.”

The agreement says Ellison will have the option to purchase the property for up to three years.

Meantime, the city and county will move forward with the demolition and removal of the 40-year-old structure, the former county hospital, which sits on the site.

“Should Buyer (Ellison) close and purchase the property, buyer shall accept the property in its present “as is” condition, including ordinary wear and tear to the closing date,” the agreement states. “Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, Seller may, as Seller’s sole and exclusive discretion, demolish the abandoned hospital improvement currently located upon the property.”

At the meetings on Monday and Tuesday, both entities approved a contract with AMEC Foster Wheeler to perform certain work, so the remediation and deconstruction of the hospital could proceed.

The property is adjacent to and visible from Interstate 20, located south of I-20, next to the newly opened McSweeny Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram car dealership.

By David Atchison, Daily Home staff writer
Original link:
https://www.annistonstar.com/the_st_clair_times/pell-city-council-st-clair-commission-ok-option-agreement-for/article_caadf51a-4831-11e8-9c4f-6b2c761e169b.html