Drive-in theater, business incubator get Council support
Future businesses in Demopolis took center stage at the Demopolis City Council meeting Thursday as Richard “Tank” Bryant’s proposed drive-in theater won zoning approval, and Council members endorsed a fledgling incubator.
Bryant spoke for rezoning of his property, the former Demopolis Academy, from R-1 residential to B-LI business light industrial. He said those looking for family entertainment must find it outside of the city.
Bryant, who has been with the Demopolis Police Department for 15 years, said the theater was an afterthought to the other businesses that are using the former school facility he purchased.
Supporting Bryant was David Compton who owns much of the property surrounding the proposed site and that is zoned I-1 industrial. Retired from law enforcement after 30 years, Compton said he moved to Demopolis from Virginia a year ago to help his father but plans to start his own business here.
No one spoke against the proposed rezoning which had been recommended by the Planning Commission. Three councilmen voted for the rezoning, David McCants opposed the measure, and Jim Stanford abstained.
In the business session prior to the formal Council meeting, business owner and former mayoral candidate Aliquippa Allen asked the city to become a partner with the Rural Business & Training Center.
She said the new non-profit group is supported by 16 people who are working to start a business incubator in the city. She asked the Council for a letter of support to apply for a grant, but Allen said she would be back with a request for financial aid and a budget detailing how the money would be used for training and building renovation.
“We are going to get started with or without the grant,” she said.
The Council approved two bids by S. T. Bunn for the CDBG and Phase II paving projects in the city. Brian Kemp with Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood engineering outlined how the initial $3.1 million for resurfacing Demopolis streets has been used so far, what money is left and how GMC recommends spending the remainder.
The CDBG funding will pay for the Brickyard, Hilltop, South Glover and McGee street areas for a cost of $446,157.70. The Phase II paving project includes 17 streets and five alternative streets for a total of $1,142,567.52. Kemp recommended leaving the remainder in reserve in case of cost overruns.
The Council suspended rules to expedite naming Betsy Stephens to the Demopolis Board of Education and Mary Jo Martin to the Cemetery Board.
In other business, the Council approved four financial statements from January through April.