Vestavia Hills Proposes New Indoor Pickleball Facility: The city of Vestavia Hills is looking to breathe new life into a long-vacant property on U.S. 31 by bringing in a new indoor pickleball facility. During Monday night’s City Council meeting, City Manager Jeff Downes disclosed a proposal to convert the former Sprouts Farmers Market site at 1031 Montgomery Highway into “The Picklr,” a 10-court pickleball complex. The proposal also includes plans for a pro shop and a restaurant, aiming to revitalize the space and meet the city’s growing demand for indoor pickleball courts.
“This site has been a topic of conversation in our community since the store closed in December 2018. Picklr would bring a competition-ready indoor pickleball complex to the currently vacant site.” – (Downes)
The Picklr, which already operates 49 locations across 23 states, has yet to establish a presence in Alabama. The City Council will vote on an incentive agreement to bring The Picklr to Vestavia Hills on Sept. 23. If approved, the facility would be developed as part of a public-private partnership between the city and Altera AIP-Vestavia, in negotiations to purchase the shopping center from its current owner, Wiggins Building Corp.
The proposed agreement includes an initial grant of $300,000 from the city to Altera AIP-Vestavia, with additional payments tied to a percentage of sales taxes and non-educational property tax proceeds over the next decade.
In other city news, the Council approved two resolutions for bridge improvements in the Patchwork Farms area. The first resolution ceded the property to Jefferson County for right-of-way to widen and improve the bridges on Caldwell Mill Road and Old Looney Mill Road, while the second approved an intergovernmental agreement allowing the project to proceed. Vestavia Hills City Engineer Christopher Brady emphasized that these bridges, which have weight limits, pose a safety risk, particularly with delivery trucks frequenting the area. The project is expected to take six to nine months to complete.
Additionally, state Rep. Mike Shaw presented the Council with a $9,500 state grant for improvements to Altadena Park.
“It’s taxpayer money going back into the community, and I want it to benefit the people here.” – (Shaw)
As the City Council moves forward with these initiatives, Vestavia Hills is ready for significant developments, from revamping its recreational facilities to enhancing local infrastructure.
News in Brief: Vestavia Hills Proposes New Indoor Pickleball Facility
Vestavia Hills is planning to revitalize a vacant property on U.S. 31 by converting the former Sprouts Farmers Market site into “The Picklr,” a 10-court indoor pickleball complex with a pro shop and restaurant. City Manager Jeff Downes proposed the project during a City Council meeting, aiming to meet local demand for indoor pickleball courts.
The City Council will vote on a $300,000 incentive agreement for the facility, which would be developed in partnership with Altera AIP-Vestavia. Additionally, the Council approved bridge improvements in Patchwork Farms and received a $9,500 state grant for Altadena Park enhancements.
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