Montgomery Skatepark for Sale

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By Katy Sulhoff

Story Created: May 15, 2012 at 2:59 PM CDT

Story Updated: May 15, 2012 at 10:50 PM CDT

The property where Montgomery's downtown skatepark is located is up for sale. If the council votes yes, it will become new downtown living and shopping.

The Montgomery City Council is voting Tuesday to approve the sale of the property on the corner of Bibb and Lee Streets situated directly across from the Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center -- prime downtown property.

That means the skaters will have to find someplace else to go, but this was always part of the plan.

"All along, the skatepark was a great amenity and is a great amenity. It was intended as something temporary," until a better investment came along, said City Developement Director Chad Emerson.

The City doesn't make money on the skatepark, and considering it's prime location, Emerson said there's a better use.

"We've run some numbers and in the long run, [the] City's going to make some really nice money on this investment when it comes to the revenue which the developer produces."

Developer Luis Rubio is eyeing the property. He's planning to transform it into loft apartments with retail space on the first floor.

That's what the City has been working toward by making improvements downtown to attract developers.

"It's a multi-million dollar project. He's bringing a good chunk of his own money into the project and so before you do that, you need predictability," Emerson said.

The property is for sale for $300,000. Rubio said it'll be a nearly $9 million investment and, if approved, he's hoping to start construction in January.

The Department of Parks and Recreation is looking into new locations for the skatepark, but nothing is concrete yet.
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