Demopolis Industrial Board will hire engineer to evaluate potential home sites

The Demopolis Industrial Board will hire a construction engineer to evaluate potential subdivision sites in hopes of attracting homebuilders to town, Demopolis City Councilman Hugh Overmyer told the Demopolis City Council.

Overmyer proposed the idea of the city hiring an engineer on Aug. 20, but he announced at the Sept. 3 meeting that the industrial board has agreed to “take the lead and fund” the project. Overmyer told the Black Belt News Network that the report should cost between $10,000 and $15,000.

The engineer will evaluate up to six potential subdivision sites, Overmyer said earlier this month. The engineer will assess the property based on location, soil, drainage and accessibility to utilities.

The expense of hiring an engineer to evaluate a subdivision site is typically handled by the developer, but Overmyer told the Black Belt News Network that having reports already in hand might help entice builders to Demopolis.  

Some of the proposed sites are on the west side of Demopolis, some are central to Highway 80, and some are south of Highway 80, according to Overmyer. The sites are undeveloped land of 20 to 200 acres.

Demopolis needs up to 500 homes to accommodate growth, but builders in larger cities have been reluctant to start projects in Demopolis.

In other business, the city council voted to spend $7,500 to turn the concrete pier at the marina into a fishing pier. The funds will pay for installing handrails to the stairs leading to the pier, which is now fenced off.

Demopolis Mayor Woody Collins said fishermen now must climb over rocks to fish along the banks of the marina.