Pelham City Council Special Called Meeting: ReAmp Initiative Approval – July 30, 2026

The Pelham City Council convened a Special Called Meeting on July 30, 2026, followed immediately by a press conference. The sole formal action was the unanimous passage of Resolution 2026-07-30-01, authorizing a development consulting agreement with Genrev for the ReAmp initiative, which will guide the redevelopment of the former Oak Mountain Amphitheatre property. Discussions confirmed the scope and direction of the project, citing extensive public input.

Consent Calendar

• The City Council unanimously approved the July 30, 2026 meeting agenda as presented (motion by Councilman Snowden, second by Councilwoman Towns).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public addressed the Council during the formal public comment section of the meeting.

Discussion Items

• Resolution 2026-07-30-01 (ReAmp Consulting Agreement): The Council formally considered and approved the agreement with Genrev.
• Councilman Snowden voiced strong support for the project, thanking Genrev president John Benner for working collaboratively with the city and noting the project is focused on determining feasibility.
• Councilwoman Towns expressed excitement, calling it "the biggest thing that has ever happened" in Pelham. She acknowledged the hard work of city staff and stated the council "took to heart" components the public did not like, implicitly referencing the decision to remove a residential component from the plan.
• Press Conference and Project Details:
  • Mayor Rick Walsh explained the city purchased the amphitheater site in 2025 and conducted a community charrette to gather public input. He stated Genrev was selected as the consultant after a competitive RFQ process.
  • John Benner (Genrev) provided a detailed project overview. He stated the property offers approximately 11.5 developable acres out of 43 total acres. He confirmed Genrev's nearby Canopy development is 93 to 94 percent leased.
  • Mr. Benner explicitly stated the project will not include a residential component, which he noted was a strong directive from the city council based on public feedback. He also confirmed there will be no traditional hotel on the site, though a boutique bed-and-breakfast serving as a gateway to Oak Mountain State Park was not ruled out.
  • Mr. Benner remarked that the departure of the Oak Mountain Amphitheater was a "blessing in disguise" for the site's potential.
  • During a Q&A period, a resident, Mr. Leon, asked about the project's impact on the Highway 119 corridor. Mayor Walsh and Mr. Benner stated the project is designed to re-energize the corridor and may include new access points off Highway 119.
  • Mayor Walsh publicly recognized and thanked City Manager Gretchen DeFonte for her extensive work steering the project from the initial purchase through the current agreement.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution Unanimously Passed: Resolution 2026-07-30-01 passed by a unanimous voice vote of the City Council, formally engaging Genrev as the city's development consultant.
• Feasibility Study Phase: Genrev will lead a comprehensive feasibility and planning phase over the next six to eight months, estimated to cost approximately $200,000. This will include market analysis, engineering, environmental reviews, and financial planning.
• No Residential Component: The Council and the consultant confirmed that the ReAmp project will not include residential housing at the request of the public and council.
• No Traditional Hotel: The Mayor stated the site will not contain a traditional hotel or motel.
• Project Steering: The City Council will make final decisions on the project's master plan based on the recommendations and feasibility data provided by Genrev.