The Northport City Council gave final approval on Monday to a development agreement that will bring two new hotels and a large indoor sports complex to the River Run Park area. Under the deal, developer HD Land Holdings LLC must invest a minimum of $52 million to build a “Family Hotel,” a “Championship Hotel,” and a 100,000‑square‑foot indoor sports facility.
Deal structure and financial commitments
The council approved three separate votes after a public hearing that drew no spoken comments. Two city‑owned parcels will be sold to HD Land Holdings for more than $2 million total. The first parcel, priced at $1.2 million, is earmarked for the Family Hotel – a sports‑focused, family‑friendly extended‑stay or select‑service hotel with at least 100 rooms. The city required a minimum investment of $12 million for that portion of the project.
The second parcel, set to sell for at least $1 million (final appraisal pending), will host the Championship Hotel. According to city attorney John Ray, the hotel will be classified as an upscale property by Smith Travel Research, featuring at least 100 rooms, a full‑service restaurant open seven days a week, a full‑service bar, and a pool.
Both hotels will sit beside the indoor sports facility, which must be at least 100,000 square feet and capable of hosting basketball, volleyball and gymnastics tournaments. Ray said the sports complex carries a required minimum investment of $40 million.
No tax incentives, strict timelines
Attorney Ray emphasized that the agreement includes no tax abatements, tax incentives, or other cash incentives. “I want to be real clear: this does not include tax abatements, tax incentives, or other cash incentives,” he said. The city is simply selling the land and providing related items.
The agreement also gives the city a right of first refusal on any future land sales within the sports complex. To protect municipal interests, the deeds require the developer to maintain the project for at least 32 years. Once a deed is recorded, HD Land Holdings has nine months to obtain a land‑disturbance permit and 30 days thereafter to begin construction. If either deadline is missed, the city can reclaim the sale proceeds and retake the property.
Local impact and community response
Developer Will Houston thanked the council, describing the project as “a great economic partnership” that will bring jobs and tax revenue to Northport. “I’m excited to get some dirt moving over there,” he added, noting the long‑planned nature of the indoor sports facility and hotel concept for the riverfront property.
The River Run Park complex, a nine‑field baseball and softball venue, opened in August 2025 and has become a regional draw for youth sports. The new hotels and indoor arena are expected to support increased tournament traffic, provide lodging options for families, and generate ongoing economic benefits for the city.
Legal foundation
The council approved the deal under Amendment 772 of the Alabama Constitution, which authorizes municipalities to sell land and provide valuable consideration for economic development projects.
Overall, the agreement reflects Northport’s commitment to leveraging private investment for community‑enhancing amenities while safeguarding public resources through clear contractual safeguards.
Original reporting: The Tuscaloosa Thread — read the source article.
