An exciting multimillion dollar development breaks ground in Muscle Shoals

Muscle Shoals is finally getting a much-needed epicenter for the community. Unlike most cities, Muscle Shoals has never had a primary downtown or central community space for its citizens to spend their time in. This huge development that broke ground Thursday, January 14, is the answer to the problem. Read on to find out details on the brand-new development.

Details on the Development

On Thursday, January 14, a groundbreaking ceremony was held in Muscle Shoals to celebrate the start of construction on a multi-million dollar development. This new development will bring residential homes, businesses and a central area for the community to gather.

The massive development will span 86 acres and feature:

• 209 single-family homes
• 65 townhomes
• up to 60 commerical storefronts

As for the commercial storefronts, Muscle Shoals citizens can look forward to businesses like a grocery store, boutique shopping and up to four big-box retailers.

Mayor of Muscle Shoals, Mike Lockhart, is partnering with head developer Chad Baker of The Baker Company to make this project a reality. Baker and his team hope to start actual construction in a few short weeks.

A long-awaited space

The past layout of the City of Muscle Shoals has never been conducive to community. This is why a development of this kind will be transformative for the future of the city.

“Muscle Shoals unlike our other cities, doesn’t really have a downtown area or community. It’s kind of spread out with some main streets. That’s what we’re trying to offer here, is a place where folks and go and stay.”

Chad Baker, developer on the project

Imagine a state-of-the-art space where you can not only live but shop, eat and socialize. This is a vision the development plans to achieve. Although there are no written contracts yet on which businesses will be occupying the new space, Baker says there are a lot of interested parties.

“Our first two buildings will be around 20 thousand square feet and will be split up in sections, and so far, from what we understand from the verbal commitments, those will be full as soon as we get those underway.”

Chad Baker, developer on the project

What this means for Muscle Shoals

Beyond finally creating a community center, this development will bring in new citizens with the draw of brand-new centralized housing and more jobs as businesses make the move to the space.

“With this size project I do believe that it’ll create an opportunity for industry here seeing that we are able to provide housing,”

Chad Baker, developer on the project

The project will be built in five phases over the course of five to seven years. The building process will begin in late Spring 2022.

We’re so excited to see Muscle Shoals receive this new development! How do you feel about the project? Be sure to tag @thebamabuzz to let us know!