“Transformative” Deal at Brookley Announced

According to Al.com and an announcement by Mayor Sandy Stimpson on December 1, Mobile city officials approved what they described as a “transformative” deal that involves the public purchase of more than 300 acres of waterfront east of the Brookley Aeroplex and south of downtown. The land is being purchased from the University of South Alabama Foundation with $33 million set aside from state and federal funding streams. The City of Mobile also has a $9-million option to purchase an additional 50-acre parcel over the next five years.

The agreement secures nearly 150 acres of waterfront property that will be turned over to the Parks and Recreation Department. While there is still planning to be done, the area is to be dedicated to ensuring citizens can easily access Mobile’s waterfront. As part of the same purchase, Mobile will also be able to preserve 50 acres of ecologically sensitive wetlands along the coastline that can be opened for public access, as well. Another 100 acres adjacent to the Brookley Aerospace Complex will be dedicated to economic development and help accommodate suppliers and support services as Brookley continues to grow into the world’s fourth-largest site for the construction of commercial aircraft.

The project also includes the potential for the Mobile Airport Authority to expand upon its existing $8-million downtown terminal that opened in 2019. The authority’s long-term goals include a complete relocation of commercial aviation operations from Mobile Regional Airport in West Mobile to the downtown airport within Brookley. The city’s new property abuts the downtown airport terminal and could be utilized for future expansion.