The region is Mobile County, Alabama, with traffic from the north on I-65, from the east and west on I-10. It is 10 minutes from the Alabama State Docks and Port of Mobile. The Alabama coast at Gulf Shores is a hour and a half drive.
The property is at I-65 and Celeste Road in Saraland, AL, a new five lane interchange.
The Master Plan shown in the following figure was presented to, and approved by, the City of Saraland, AL in 2008, https://saraland.org/. As indicated in the bottom right-hand corner, +/- 84.7 acres would be retail commercial. +/- 44.12 acres would be MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL with 532 apartments. 128.92 acres total. A driveway was included along the southern edge for access to the parcels by the creek owned by others. The developer believed in the project strongly enough to pay $45K nonrefundable earnest money during the nine months due diligence period. As the sales contract closing date approached, the basic engineering was finished. Professional flood and environmental studies had been done. All federal, state and local permits had been granted. Closing of the sale was scheduled. The 2008 crash happened a week or two before the sale was set to close. The developer lost his financing and the deal/development failed. The buyer terminated the contract which required that the due diligence be delivered to us, LPI. We have copies. The permits have expired but the conditions of the property have not changed. Renewed permits should be much easier to obtain than the originals, because the originals were granted and nothing new should need to be considered. Since 2008 the City of Saraland has formed its own school district. There are new elementary and middle schools. There is a new high school and new football stadium. The five lane interstate interchange is new. The mind set of the city council is pro development. Current indications are that the development could be resumed as approved 2008.
The GENERAL INFORMATION figure following is a topo of the property including a few details. The portion shaded blue is the property belonging to others, mentioned above. The gas line is a 50' wide strip belonging to the gas company, which allows crossings constructed to its requirements. The portion west of the red R.O.W. has been sold, resulting in the stated cash flow. The red R.O.W. was keep to retain access to the bulk of the property. Estimated cost for the bridge at CREEK CROSSING "A" was $500K. There are at least four viable access points to the property, designated as CREEK CROSSINGS "A", "B", "C" and "D". "A" is closest to I-65 and is the only point where LPI owns both sides of the creek. "B" is farther from I-65, which might be good. Owners of the undeveloped property might be glad to grant a R.O.W. to increase the value of their property. The gas line property could conceivably be part or all of a R.O.W. If the property is developed as commercial or industrial. "A" or "B" would be the choice. However, if residential, or perhaps a golf course, is the choice, both "C" and "D" are viable. An existing short, connector R.O.W. extends from Saraland Ave, The Veegee St R.O.W. extends all the way to the creek. Both are a short drive to highway 43 through the existing residential area. Subject to a civil engineer's confirmation, CROSSING "C" would be by far the least expensive choice, due to the terrain and flood zones.
The COMMERCIAL--INDUSTRIAL figure shows that the high points could be spread out to flatten nearly all of the property west of the pipe line. Persons familiar with topography will notice significant possibilities. Two small dams located adjacent to the pipeline would make possible a large lake plus a long, narrow, meandering lake. Adding a third small dam near the middle of the property and relocating some dirt southward and northward could turn most of the northern half of the property into a single large lake (not to imply that would be desirable, but to emphasize the magnitude of possibilities).
A golf course would not require the pensive bridge as would the master plan presented above. If the club house is located on the south side of Bayou Sara a light duty walk-bridge from the club house to golf carts would work well. A permanent ford could be constructed for heavy service vehicles. The creek bottom is firm and normal flow is approximately 15' wide and 6"-8" deep. This would also work well with the club house positioned over the creek on pilings, or north of the creek.
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