Odenville banking on massive I-59 mixed-use development

The City of Odenville is looking to step up its game in the next few years.

Mayor Rodney "Buck" Christian said the city wants to offer more in the way of parks and recreation as well as better police and fire and rescue services to its residents.

The massive commercial and residential development that Four Star Holdings and Harbert Realty Services is building off the Springville exit off I-59 is the key to that growth.

Four Star Holdings CEO Bobby Smith Jr. said when all is said and done, the total investment in the property could reach $1 billion, and it could bring between 600 and 1,000 new jobs to St. Clair County.

The development includes the full-service grocery store that will be owned by Mitchell Grocery Corp., two apartment projects, residential developments, office buildings, and a layered retail development that could span over 150,000 square feet.

"This is our financial future," Christian said at the site's first two ribbon cuttings, a brand new Exxon gas station and an American Caresource urgent care clinic owned by Alabama physician Jason Junkins. "We have a slow or no growth on the Highway 411 corridor. Obviously an interstate system is attractive for commercial development."

The estimated economic impact from the development will be huge for Odenville, which has a population of around 5,000.

Based upon current sales taxes, the first two years is expected to yield $4 million in revenue for the city. Years three and four is expected to be up to $6 million, and years five, six and seven is projected to bring in $7 million in tax revenue.

Harbert Realty Services purchased the land from Four Star holdings that has been developed for three medical offices. Opthamologist Mark Hill and Dentist Brant Haynie will join Junkins at the site off Exit 154.

Bryan Davis covers real estate, retail and manufacturing for the Birmingham Business Journal. Click here to follow him on Twitter.