Plans to annex 300 acres near Gallion into Demopolis are back on

Plans to annex 305 acres near Gallion into the city of Demopolis are back on.

Demopolis and Hale County officials have been working with landowners to annex the area surrounding the intersection of U.S. Highways 80 and 69 in Hale County for months. Because the land is in Hale County and Demopolis is in Marengo County, the annexation must be approved by the Alabama Legislature, which is now in session.

A resolution with the latest deal will go before the Demopolis City Council in their Feb. 19 meeting.

The parties involved put a hold on the annexation in early February, but the move to bring the property into the Demopolis city limits is back on track, according to a statement issued Tuesday by Demopolis and Hale County.

“The city of Demopolis and Hale County leaders have collaborated extensively with landowners to build a framework that supports responsible development, shared benefits and long-term economic resilience,” the statement said. “Through cooperative planning, officials from both jurisdictions have crafted an agreement that balances opportunity with transparency and public benefit.”

When the West Alabama Corridor is completed, the property will become “the only four-lane intersection between Interstate 65 in Mobile and Interstate 59/20 in Tuscaloosa, positioning it as a unique commercial gateway for travel, logistics and investment in the region,” the statement said. “This intersection will serve as one of the most important commercial nodes along the entire stretch.”

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Residents on social media have suggested that the property will be the site of a Buc-ees, but Demopolis Mayor Woody Collins has dismissed that as “just social media talk.” No business has signed on to build on the property, he said, although talks have focused on a gas or truck station.

Whatever winds up on that spot, leaders of Demopolis and Hale County have agreed to a “clear and equitable sales-tax distribution” for the annexed area. The state will receive 4%, Hale County Public School District will receive 3%, Demopolis will receive 2% and the Hale County Commission will receive 1%, according to the statement.

Demopolis and Hale County have also agreed to share costs associated with developing the property.

Although the site is in Hale County, the Demopolis Water Works and Sewer Board is running a sewer line along Highway 80 toward Uniontown right past the intersection, which makes the property more attractive for development.

“This initiative is a testament to what regional partners can accomplish when we work together in good faith,” Collins said in the statement. “We appreciate Hale County’s leadership and the willingness of local landowners to work with us to make this opportunity a reality. West Alabama is experiencing real momentum in growth, investment and quality-of-life improvements because so many partners are pulling in the same direction.”

Hale County Probate Judge David Parker said, “The West Alabama Corridor is fundamentally changing what’s possible for our region. By creating modern, four‑lane connectivity, it has opened the door to economic opportunities that strengthen our local economy, support education and improve quality of life for families across West Alabama. This annexation effort shows how cities, counties and landowners can work together to turn infrastructure investment into lasting regional progress.”