LEEDS TRIBUNE THE ONLY SOURCE FOR LEEDS NEWS www.LeedsTribune.com
April 18, 2019 | Volume 4, Issue 13
50 ¢
EXCLUSIVE
Future of Buc-ee’s uncertain Decision to build in Leeds to be made in the next six months
BY CINDY FISHER Leeds Tribune Staff The lack of construction of a Buc-ee’s superstore in Leeds, nearly a year after it was announced, has had res-
idents questioning whether it will come at all. And it turns out there is something to that concern. A spokesman for Buc-ee’s said this week that the giant convenience store is “considering all of our options” regarding locating in Leeds, which could include not building in Leeds at all. “We have a lot of plans across the country that we’re looking at doing; we haven’t officially made a decision yet (on Leeds),” said Jeff Nadalo, spokesman for Buc-ee’s.
The large gas station chain based in Texas bought 15 acres in Leeds along Highway 78 across from the Chevron in 2018 for $9 million and signed a development agreement with the city of Leeds that Mayor David Miller said was validated by order of the Circuit Court. Miller said the city has been trying to get Buc-ee’s to give a firm construction schedule from top management, but they haven’t gotten that yet. He hoped to
hear back in the next week or two. Nadalo said a decision will be more likely in six months, adding that some Buc-ee’s projects take five to seven years to be built. “The process for us is not linear,” he added. The first Buc-ee’s in Alabama opened in Baldwin County in January with 50,000 square feet of shopping space, 120 fuel pumps and employment of 250 workers. The chain looks at cost effectiveness with each
store they build, considering it is a large investment, Nadalo said. Buc-ee’s is building several around the country right now, including at least two in Florida. Nadalo said it is not unusual to make it far along in the process of building a store and decide not to locate there in the end. That happened recently in Louisiana. Miller said Buc-ee’s “signed a detailed contract with the city specifying not only that they will build the facility but providing square foot-
age and other details.” Bucee’s has also conducted geotechnical engineering studies confirming the suitability of the land and the city has been told by potential subcontractors that they have requested bids, Miller said. “The contract with the city was signed by Buc-ee’s president/owner,” Miller said. “The city expects full compliance with the signed contract. If for any reason Buc-ee’s were to fail to come they would be in violation of the signed contract with the city.”
Leeds High School’s girls Does Leeds soccer team finishes its best need a storm shelter? season in team history BY BLAKE ELLS Special to the Leeds Tribune The girls soccer team at Leeds High School concludes its 2019 season this week with the most successful season a Leeds girls soccer team has ever had. The girls won their first major tournament championship in the history of the young program, a feat accomplished at the Moody Invitational Soccer Tournament on the weekend of April 5. They did it by surviving a gauntlet, beginning with a victory against Moody that Friday 3-1 that set up an 8 a.m. start for the following game against McAdory that they also won 3-1. As they did not receive a bye in the tournament, they were forced to beat McAdory a second time that afternoon at 2:30 p.m. The Greenwave claimed the tournament champion-
ship by winning their fourth game over Shades Valley 1-0. Having had a bye, the 6A Mounties had some rest, playing just three games in the tournament. Leeds had played all weekend and was the smallest school that participated. Sophomore goalkeeper Daisy Owens broke her hand during the final game of the tournament and came out from goalie to contribute in the field. Owens has been starting for the varsity team since she was in seventh grade. The injury won’t require surgery, and Owens is expected to finish the season in the field. The young two-sport star also plays volleyball at Leeds. While only a sophomore, she serves as a captain for the soccer team. “She demonstrates leadership and passion for the game,” head Coach Steven Porter said of his decision to name his young goalkeeper
captain. “She puts her team and soccer as a first priority during this time of the year.” Porter also got major contributions this season from seniors Whitney Vandiver and Skyler Clark. Along with Owens, he’ll also expect big things from Jocelyn Martinez and Emmalee Keating next season; both are juniors this year. “A big reason that we’ve had success is their willingness to get better and because Daisy Owens is a remarkable goalkeeper,” Porter said. “When you have a good goalkeeper in girls’ soccer, you can do pretty good.” The Greenwave also went undefeated in the Lakeshore Shootout earlier this season. That tournament crowns its champion on a points system rather than by head-to-head competition, allowing Pelham to take home top honors. Since the program’s inception in 2015, Porter’s teams have steadily improved each
season. His first team finished with a 4-9 record in 2015. In 2016, it reached .500 for the first time at 11-11. In 2017, the Greenwave made their first playoff appearance behind a 11-5-1 record. And in 2018 they won their area and reached the second round of the playoffs with a 12-52 record. Despite having an equally impressive 2019 season, there will be no postseason this year, as realignment and playing up to the competition of larger schools has made that goal more difficult. When this edition went to press, the team was 13-4-3 on the season with two games remaining. “They’ve always been a team that’s committed to growing and getting better,” Porter said. “I’ve always put them in challenging tournaments, and they have always continued to meet the expectations and continued to compete.”
Stormy spring prompts questions about safety options in Leeds
Some communities have designated shelters for residents to use during severe weather. Photo provided BY BLAKE ELLS Special to the Leeds Tribune
Leeds High School’s girls soccer team celebrates winning their first tournament.
Leeds residents awoke to sirens in the wee hours of Sunday morning when damaging winds and possible tornadoes swept through the state of Alabama. Troy—located in Pike County—was the hardest hit Alabama community, but suspected tornadoes were also reported in Shelby County near Montevallo. Leeds experienced some flooding, specifically near townhomes on Ann Avenue. The flooding caused significant damage to the vehicles of several residents. No other major damage was reported within the city. The storms created discussion among residents in Leeds as to what safety measures are in place when such an event occurs. Some have raised concern over the need for a public storm shelter, but Mayor David Miller says that such a plan isn’t feasible in a community of 12,000. “I am much more concerned about putting people in their vehicles and on the road toward a storm shelter with just 12 minutes of notice,” the mayor said on Monday. “That would be unsafe.” Currently, the only public facility available for use
as a storm shelter is Leeds Primary School. Local churches may also be available, but there’s no assurance that those facilities will be open at the overnight hours when a storm may hit. As the city continues to grow and assess future needs to accommodate residents, for now, best practices are encouraged in the event of a tornado warning for residents without an underground shelter or basement. • If you can safely get to a sturdy building, do so immediately. • Get to a small, interior room on the lowest level of the home. • Stay away from windows, doors and outside walls. • Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You’re safer in a low, flat location. • Watch for flying debris. • Use your arms to protect your head and neck. Advanced preparedness is also key. Sign up for alerts from the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Pay attention to local meteorologists and identify in advance the plan of action for what your family will do when severe weather strikes.
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