The Tuscaloosa City Council on Tuesday was filled with residents concerned about the Sports Illustrated project

By WVUA 23 News Reporter Jaylen Baron

Tuesday’s Tuscaloosa City Council meeting was standing room only as residents spoke out in droves during a public hearing for a proposed Sports Illustrated-branded resort property on the Black Warrior River.

The project’s developers presented their opinions on the benefits the resort, which includes a small water park, restaurants, hotel rooms, condos and timeshares, can bring to Tuscaloosa.

Their goal is to keep the concept family-friendly and welcome both locals and visitors from out of town.

Council members and residents alike had questions about the project, from the viability of timeshares to potential traffic issues to employment opportunities.

The resort would be the first of several Sports Illustrated-branded hotels to be built across the U.S. and beyond, and will focus on providing an upscale experience in areas where visitors frequently travel for sporting events.

None of the residents who addressed the council expressed support for the resort.

“There is a very strong group that is against it,” said Tuscaloos resident Sally Reel. “I think there are about 1,100 homes near this proposed resort. We are not interested in a resort in our neighborhood. Especially one of this type. It is untested. It’s unproven. It’s not conducive to our community.”

The Tuscaloosa City Council was scheduled to vote Tuesday to authorize the Tuscaloosa city attorney to prepare an ordinance for consideration at the next council meeting. That vote has been tabled until at least next week’s meeting, which will also include another public hearing on the proposed property.

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