NORTHPORT, Ala. (WIAT) — A group of concerned Northport residents are working to stop a proposed resort and water park from coming to town.
The project developer University Beach LLC wants to build a resort that will include a water park along with residential lots, hotels, retail space and a large lagoon with a beach.
The Northport group has launched a GoFundMe to raise funds for legal expenses to fight the city’s project.
Jack Roberts is the group’s spokesperson. He, along with many citizens, does not want to live close to where a large water park and resort will be built.
“The first step with this GoFundMe is to find out what’s going on,” Roberts said. “There’s been a big lack of transparency about this from the get-go, so we are talking to lawyers and are close to finalizing a deal with them. We are starting an exploratory process to better understand exactly what we are dealing with here.”
Northport City Councilwoman Christy Bobo says this project is going to mean so much to the community and the economy.
“The developers are making a huge $350 million investment into Tuscaloosa County,” Bobo said. “It’s going to have an economic boon all around the surrounding areas as well. I wish folks would stop calling this a water park — it’s a resort and a lifestyle change. It will be a huge body of water that can be heated and can be enjoyed year-round.”
Bobo also has this message for those who oppose the project.
“My suggestion to the people who don’t like this is to take another look at it and meet with our staff and see if there are things you don’t understand,” Bobo said.
Roberts says the group has raised nearly $3,000 on their GoFundMe effort to fight the city’s project.
