NORTHPORT, AL — The contentious sale of the Northport Community Center property and its adjoining park appears to be very much still in play, despite Mayor John Hinton saying earlier this week that he would veto the sale of the property following the 180-day due diligence period set to end later this year.
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As Patch previously reported, if Hinton does veto the sale if it gets to that point, it would require a 4-1 vote of the Council to override the mayoral veto.
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District 1 Councilwoman Christy Bobo and District 4’s Jamie Dykes were the two votes in opposition when the council vote 3-2 to repeal the requirement for a unanimous vote of the Council in order to sell any property relating to parks and recreation — namely the Northport Community Center.
Dykes told Patch that if the mayor vetoed the sale of property today, her vote would still be in opposition to the deal.
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Conversely, Bobo told Patch that while she voted against repealing the resolution for a unanimous vote to sell the property, she would vote to override the veto if it were handed down today because the city has not received any information back from the Beeker Property Group regarding its proposal for the site.
“Mayor Hinton has stated, many times, that we have to consider all sides to the situation before making decisions,” Bobo said. “If I have learned anything from his mentorship and leadership it is to examine each situation carefully. There are alternative ways to explore working together, rather than operating in extremes.”
Council President Jeff Hogg, a vocal proponent of turning the property into the city’s newest retail development, took to social media Wednesday to ask what the public would like to see occupy the space — saying he would share the information provided with developers and franchisees.
Hogg also told Patch that while the possibility of a veto from the mayor makes the future of the property uncertain, it was prudent for the city to work through the 180-day due diligence period to have a plan in place in the event that a sale of the property is ultimately approved by the Council.
He went on to address the prospect of waning confidence in the deal, saying that just because the mayor said he would veto the sale of the property does not remove the city from its commitment to the due diligence period.
Still, as it stands today, there appears to be a solid 4-1 vote by members of the Council to override any veto by the mayor regarding the property.
“If the time comes (to sell the property), we have to be ready with options to present,” Hogg said. “I don’t work on what-ifs. I have a job to do, and I try to do it to the fullest. If it gets shot down, that’s fine. But at least I know that I didn’t leave any stone unturned … My goal is to make Northport thrive. That is my mission. Hard work, the right mindset, and perseverance will reap the benefits for future generations to come .”
The due diligence period went into effect with the Council’s approval on June 1, meaning it will conclude no later than Nov. 28. The first council meeting following the close of the 180-day period is set for Monday, Dec. 4.
The next regular meeting of the Northport City Council is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 7 at 5:30 p.m.
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