Loxley council actions pave way for ALDI warehouse

LOXLEY, Alabama — The Loxley Town Council paved the way for the construction of an office and warehouse space in the town’s industrial park for national grocery retailer ALDI with a pair of actions at its monthly meeting on Monday, Feb. 8.

On Wednesday, Feb. 10, Loxley Mayor Richard Teal and Town Council members joined county, state and national officials for a groundbreaking ceremony for ALDI’s new regional headquarters and distribution center, which is located at the intersection of County Road 49 and Industrial Park Drive, just north of Interstate 10.

The upcoming 564,000-square-foot office and warehouse will support ALDI’s growth throughout the Gulf Coast. The project is set to bring approximately $100 million in capital investment in Baldwin County, with plans to create more than 200 local jobs.

“We are ecstatic that ALDI has chosen Loxley for their regional headquarters and distribution center location,” said Teal during the ceremony. “We are eager for the new job opportunities that are to come for citizens as well as the economic growth and development for our community.”

At its meeting on Feb. 8, the council voted unanimously to enter into an agreement with the state of Alabama through the Alabama Department of Transportation to benefit Project Mystick, which is being planned for Industrial Park Drive.

The project calls for the widening and resurfacing of Industrial Park Drive from Alabama 59 to County Road 49, approximately one-third of a mile, along with intersection improvements including turn lanes at the intersection of County Road 49 and Industrial Park Drive.

The estimated cost of the project is $793,200 and will be funded through Corporation Industrial Access Funds. According to the agreement, which was voted through unanimously at the Feb. 8 meeting, any additional costs would be funded by the town.

The council also voted unanimously to partner with Rimkus Consulting Group Inc. to provide a building code plan review and site inspections for the 13-month project, which is scheduled for completion in 2022.

According to a letter from principal consultant Scott R. Sanders, the group anticipates providing approximately 160 inspections with proposed fees not to exceed $185,000.

In other business Feb. 8, the council voted to rezone property on U.S. 31 north of Churchill Drive from A-O (agricultural open space) to GPH-1 (garden-patio homes).

The property, which is just over 20 acres, is part of the Pembrook Subdivision and includes about 60 lots. It is located in what is known as the Loxley Triangle, which intersection Alabama 59 and U.S. 31 north of Interstate 10 near Stapleton.

At its Jan. 11 meeting, the council voted to annex the property. As part of the agreement, the town is partnering with North Baldwin Utilities, based out of Bay Minette, to provide utilities to the property.

Under the agreement, the town will provide garbage pickup service, police and fire protection to the property.

Also at the Feb. 8 meeting, the council:

• Approved a proclamation declaring Feb. 12 as Arbor Day in the Town of Loxley with plans to give away trees at Loxley Municipal Park.
• Approved payments in the amount of $10,070 and $16,606.55 with the Creel Company Inc. through Goodwyn Mills Cawood following the completion of a screw pump replacement project, which is being funded by a USDA Rural Development grant.
• Approved payment through Goodwyn Mills Cawood for Loxley Wastewater Treatment Facility improvements and effluent outfall upgrades in the amount of $56,676.67.
• Awarded the contract for effluent outfall upgrades to R & B Contracting Company Inc. in the amount of $1,917,240 to be paid through a USDA Rural Development loan.
• Approved a request for funding with the Eastern Shore Metropolitan Planning Organization in the amount of $782,635.54 to construct a transit shelter at the Loxley Municipal Park. The project, with a total estimated cost of $978,294.42, requires a 20 percent match by the town, an estimated local match of $195,658.88.
• Approved a request for help from the Robertsdale High School football program for field maintenance costs.
• Approved the purchase of a document shredder for the Loxley Municipal Court.
• Approved the purchase of vehicles for the Loxley Police Department.
• Approved the purchase of computer equipment for the town’s public relations position.
• Approved a resolution for an agreement between the town and the Loxley Volunteer Fire Department.
• Approved the purchase of a generator for use on a booster pump by Interstate-10 for the Loxley Public Works Department.
• Approved a quote from DM Tree Service Inc. for the removal of a tree and tree stumps in the utility easement in Northgate Subdivision in the amount of $2,550.
• Declared and authorized the sale of surplus property for the town.
• Approved the purchase of equipment through Robertsdale Power Equipment in the amount of $1,939.23.
• Approved a quote on rental equipment through Action Equipment.