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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

The city of Clanton and Mansa-CTN LLC reached an agreement on land off exit 205 on Interstate 65 to begin building a Hampton Inn by Hilton on the property. Mansa-CTN LLC bought half of the property, slightly less than two acres, for $850,000 and the deed for the transaction was processed on May 22. The city of Clanton originally purchased the land for $1.5 million.

Mansa will build the Hampton Inn hotel that will feature 94 rooms at 2000 Big M Boulevard just off the interstate.

“I am glad to get it done, and I am excited to see it get done and I hope they can get started soon,” Clanton Mayor Jeff Mims said. “We have another piece of property beside it that we are talking to a restaurant about. Hopefully we can get that put together, and if we do, that piece of property we bought will be worth every penny.”

No timetable is set yet for the completion or start of the project, but it is believed the project could begin within the calendar year.

At the Clanton Council meeting on May 22, the council opened a public hearing to authorize the first steps of applying for two separate Community Development Block grants, and a petition to vacate an alleyway. The council must discuss the grants in a public hearing before voting on whether to pursue them or not at its following meeting on June 12. Mims was absent from the meeting due to representing the city of Clanton at an industrial and retail recruitment event.

The first item was for a grant for roof repair and improvements to the Wright Building which is located at the northwest corner of the intersection between Highway 31 and Highway 22. The second item is for a grant to assist in the demolition of dilapidated housing and buildings in the city. The third item was a petition to vacate an alleyway located near the intersection of Chilton Avenue and Seventh Street North at the site of the former water filtration plant.

Ordinance 2023-06 that amended the city of Clanton’s zoning ordinances addressing accessory buildings, billboards and wrecker services was approved unanimously. The first reading of the ordinance was on May 8.

Resolution 2023-05-22-01 for consideration to accept the statement of work from CivilPlus for website hosting and design services was approved unanimously. This will enhance the city of Clanton’s website capabilities to allow residents to more efficiently conduct their business with the city virtually.

Resolution 2023-05-22-02 for consideration to authorize a nutrition contract agreement for the 2024 fiscal year with Middle Area Alabama Agency on Aging was approved unanimously as well. The company specializes in serving older adults and individuals with disabilities and will extend its services to Chilton County.

Resolution 2023-05-22-03 for consideration to enter into a cooperative maintenance agreement with ALDOT for the maintenance of the rights-of-ways along U.S. Highway 31, AL Highway 22 and AL Highway 145 was approved unanimously.

The council approved resolution 2023-05-22-04 unanimously for consideration to adopt the city of Clanton’s Citizen Participation Plan for the Community Development Block Program. It is one of the requirements the city must meet to apply for Community Development Block grants.

Also, during the meeting, the council approved adopting the street between Milos and Starbucks in Clanton. The street met all the requirements for the city to adopt it, and the resolution was approved unanimously.