$20 million Coosa Harbor development planned for Alabama city’s riverfront
Article written by William Thornton of AL.com
Construction could begin within the next year on a mixed-use development along the banks of the Coosa River in Gadsden.
Developer Patrick Lawler has signed an agreement with the city for Coosa Harbor, a project Lawler described as costing “north of $20 million.”
Gadsden Mayor Craig Ford announced the project earlier this month at his State of the City address.
“This isn’t a pie in the sky idea, this is what’s happening,” Ford said.
Lawler was the developer behind Guntersville’s City Harbor project, a $30 million development launched on the banks of Lake Guntersville that opened in 2022.
Among the commercial tenants at City Harbor are Levi’s on the Lake, Home Re.Decor, Another Broken Egg Cafe, The Cigar Room, Big Mike’s Steakhouse and La Esquina Cocina. There are also 20 residential condo units.
A $15 million destination Hilton-branded hotel with about 90 rooms is slated to open in January.
Direct tax revenue from the project, once the hotel is completed, is estimated to be more than $950,000 a year..
Coosa Harbor would rest on city-owned property off Rainbow Drive that has remained undeveloped for more than 20 years. Tapping into the riverfront for tax revenue through commercial development has long been a goal of several Gadsden administrations.
Lawler said the project will go through the permitting process to blueprints. Chambless King Architects will design the project.
He said the design would be similar to City Harbor with restaurants and condominiums.
“We’re doing a Big Mike’s, Levi’s on the Lake, and a cookie and ice cream place,” he said.
Ford said he has confidence in Lawler’s vision for the property, which he said was a “quality of life” issue for the city.
“Patrick is going to invest in Gadsden, he’s going to build this, and we hope Patrick makes a ton of money, because if he makes a ton of money, we make a ton of money,” Ford said. “It’s time. It’s Gadsden’s time.”
Lawler said he decided to locate the project in Gadsden because of city leadership.
“I have a lot of confidence in Craig Ford and the direction he’s got Gadsden going, I see a positive future for Gadsden,” he said.