FRIDAY
THE
SPORTS, 11 Benjamin Russell, Coosa to meet on the hardwood
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 December 14, 2018 Vol. 126, No. 246 www.alexcityoutlook.com 75¢
LOCAL, 3 Students get ‘natural’ education at park
Mayor expects approval By JIMMY WIGFIELD Managing Editor
Alexander City Mayor Jim Nabors is confident the city council will approve a proposal to move municipal operations from downtown to the vacated Russell Sales Office. “I expect it to pass or I wouldn’t carry it,” Nabors said. “That’s how you eliminate disappointment. You can’t be a leader and have low expectations.” The vote is scheduled during a meeting Monday at 5:30 p.m. in the council chambers at the old courthouse downtown, which will likely be demolished if the city government relocates. The city has said it will cost $9 million to buy and restore the Russell building and surrounding property to consolidate all departments under one roof. “This could be one of the nicest municipal complexes in the Southeast and in my prior career I saw hundreds of city halls and courthouses,” said Alexander City’s community development coordinator Al Jones, who once worked for the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. Nabors, who was Russell’s chief financial officer for 30 years, and Jones addressed concerns expressed by critics of the proposal who contend the city has no plan to continue downtown revitalization once the municipal government withdraws close to Highway 280. “That’s not the case,” Nabors said. “But we can’t necessarily talk about what our plans are because of other people involved, just like recruiting an industry together. You’ve got to keep it under wraps or jeopardize the outcome. We have
Special / The Outlook
The former Russell Sales Office, above, would consolidate all operations of Alex City’s municipal government under one roof, help spur development along Highway 280 and provide spacious parking. The current city hall, below, in downtown Alex City would likely be salvaged and turned over to another entity.
Change is growth Opinion
Our View
Moving facilities would benefit city
A
lexander City isn’t unique in fearing change. In fact, it may have better reasons than most communities because it has been scarred by some withering events in its history. But a deeper reflection reveals this city has always moved forward and flourished once more. Change can be frightening, of course, See OPINION • Page 9
See MAYOR • Page 10
Today’s
Weather
64 47 High
Low
Lake Martin
Lake Levels
485.07 Reported on 12/13/18 @ 6 p.m.
LACEY HOWELL 256.307.2443
laceyshowell@gmail.com 5295 Highway 280, Alex City, AL
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54708 90050
Social poll shows opposition to moving into Russell Sales Office By JIMMY WIGFIELD Managing Editor
A strong majority of people responding to The Outlook’s weeklong Facebook poll are opposed to Alexander City’s municipal government moving from two downtown buildings to the former Russell Sales Office. The final total of the unscientific poll was 62 percent (407 votes) against the move and 246 favoring it. According to Facebook, the poll reached 6,498 people. The reasons cited against the proposal include a feeling the estimated $9 million cost for buying the property and renovating it could be better spent on other priorities, the cost
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See POLL • Page 10
Special / The Outlook
The old courthouse in downtown Alex City would be demolished, likely to make room for green space and other entertainment attractions.
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