Daphne City Council narrowly approves first step in building science and technology center
By Hal Scheurich
FOX10 News Reporter
DAPHNE, AL (WALA) -
In a 4-3 vote last Monday night, December 7, 2015 the Daphne City Council approved nearly $430,000 to go toward the purchase of property for a science and technology complex. That money would be made available through a state grant from BP restoration funds. The Daphne Industrial Development Board would provide an additional $320,000 to purchase the land. More will have to happen though, before any construction would begin.
The property in question is off Highway 181 near Daphne High School. This went up for a vote in September, but was voted down then, causing one member of the Daphne City Council to resign out of frustration. The new proposal includes a change in zoning which would limit the height of the buildings and the usage. The zoning changes would still need to be approved before anything moves forward.
The “yes” vote was a small but significant victory for Daphne’s Industrial Development Board (IDB). It secured funding for the 30 acre parcel that could be home to the Daphne Innovation and Science Complex. For that to happen, the current property owner will have to apply for and receive a change in zoning that would restrict the building heights to a maximum of four stories and limit commercial retail structures on site.
“Our board just wants to move the project forward so we’re going to do everything in our power to make it work out for everybody because we feel like this is a great project for the city off Daphne,” said IDB chairperson, Toni Fassbender.
Fassbender said the IDB will continue to work with the developer while the rezoning process moves forward. She said the new height restrictions could create challenges for the project since the buildings may require larger footprints. In her opinion, the economic environment is prime for a development of this nature that will provide much needed office space for white collar, technology-based businesses.
“We want to keep our dollars here in the city of Daphne and continue with the good quality of life that we have,” explained Fassbender. “We feel like this project can only enhance that quality of life. The timing is perfect.”
Evidence of the economic upswing can be seen up and down Highway 181. One example is a retail complex being developed by Spriggs Enterprises. Even though it’s not yet complete, half of the space is already leased. Property owner, Kevin Spriggs owns several convenience stores and a motel in Daphne. This project is his first time he’s developed and leased out commercial property and he’s also confident that the timing for growth is right.
“The market conditions here are very favorable. The amount of lease space in this particular area is almost zero right now and so we’re looking at this as being the best opportunity we’ve seen in probably the last 10 years to add rental real estate,” Spriggs said.
He’s not alone. Within a half a mile there’s another retail development that Spriggs said will be anchored by Mugshots Grill and Bar and a smoothie shop. A medical rehab center and an orthodontics office are nearly complete…all signs that give Fassbender confidence.
“I’m confident. I think we are at the right stage where people want to work together to make this happen and I think we all want the same thing so yes, I am confident and hope that it works out for all of us,” Fassbender said.
The Daphne Innovation and Science Complex would be a three-phase development. When completed, the original plans have it providing up to 460,000 square feet of office space and more than 1500 permanent jobs. Fassbender said those jobs would primarily be high-paying, technical and corporate jobs to compliment what experts say will be a growing need for the area.