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Big changes are in store for the McClellan Development Authority. Originally created to develop and sell land from the former Fort McClellan, the authority’s board voted Wednesday to transfer all of its assets, including real property, debts and obligations to the city of Anniston.
The MDA will continue overseeing Environmental Services Cooperative Agreement funds that allow the environmental cleanup of the former fort’s property.
The vote came after a whirlwind of legal maneuvers that included the reformation of the long-dormant McClellan Development Oversight Committee, which made a request to dissolve the MDA in November.
The board’s attorney, Jason Odom read the resolution which made the following points:
— The MDA will continue the environmental cleanup with funds from the U.S. Army. The Army responded positively to the idea of keeping the cleanup moving without needing to introduce a new authority, according to Odom.
— The Board of Directors of The McClellan Development Authority has explored all options for continued funding to support the property development purposes for which the authority was formed.
— The authority has determined that it is not possible to achieve the following defined purposes for which it was formed to improve, install, construct, own, lease, develop, sell and otherwise dispose of the real and personal property within its operational area.
— The authority finds that the city of Anniston has the tools, abilities and necessary powers and authority to continue the improving, installing, constructing, owning, leasing, developing, selling and otherwise disposing of the real and personal property within the operational area of the authority, also being wholly within the corporate limits of the city of Anniston.
— The authority also finds that it remains fully possible to continue the performance of environmental restoration and remediation of the real and personal property within its operational arca, and that it is the best and most appropriate entity to continue to do so
— The authority needs to continue existing in its current form as the approved Local Reuse Authority in order to continue its management and administration of the environmental restoration and remediation of the property pursuant to the Environmental Services Cooperative Agreement between the authority and the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, with funds allocated for such activities by the Department of the Army.
— Certain documentation will have to be prepared to transfer assets, debts and obligations of the authority to the city of Anniston, less those needed for the continued environmental cleanup, pursuant to an appropriate plan of distribution.
— It is the desire and intent of the Board of Directors of The McClellan Development Authority to recommend the transfer of all assets, debts and obligations of the authority to the city of Anniston, less those needed for the continued environmental cleanup, while also continuing to exist for the express purpose of continuing the performance of environmental restoration and remediation of the real and personal property within its operational area.
MDA Executive Director Julie Moss was disappointed with the closure of the MDA office she oversaw, but expressed appreciation for the opportunities she has had.
“McClellan is truly a beautiful place, and it is my hope that the city will continue to maintain the McClellan grounds at the standard that we set and also move forward with all the projects the MDA was in the process of developing.”
Calhoun County Commission Attorney Julie Borelli thanked Moss and all others, past and present, for all that the board has accomplished.
“Much has happened through the years,” she said. “We are not in the same place but better. I believe everyone involved has the community at heart.”
Anniston Mayor Jack Draper said the new solution is best.
“The city will receive the transferred property,” he said. “The MDA will remain existent for the purpose of administering these federal ESCA cleanup funds. The MDA has expertise there; the city does not. The fact that it was a unanimous vote is significant, and I think it’s evidence that everyone is on the same page. But again, this is a good day, not only for Anniston, but the county and the whole region. This is the solution that needed to be reached today.”
A timeline of the history of McClellan
From its origins as a World War I training camp to its current role as a hub for economic development and community life, the transformation of McClellan exemplifies resilience, adaptation and growth. Since the establishment of the McClellan Development Authority on March 3, 2010, the site has been steadily redefined, paving the way for its future.
Fort McClellan, once a cornerstone of military training and operations, closed 26 years ago in 1999 following a 1995 decision by the Base Realignment and Closure Commission. The transition of this 22,000-acre site to civilian use was no small feat. The Joint Powers Authority, formed as the Local Reuse Authority, took charge of planning, environmental remediation and property transfers necessary to repurpose the former military installation.
One of the JPA’s most challenging tasks was addressing environmental hazards from decades of military use. Through Environmental Services Cooperative Agreements initiated in 2003 and expanded in 2007, more than $200 million was invested in remediation efforts. By 2014, over 2,700 acres of unexploded ordnance were cleared, making large portions of the land safe for development.
The MDA took over from the JPA in 2010, expanding the vision for McClellan to include economic growth, property sales and community engagement. This effort has brought in new tenants, including FEMA’s Center for Domestic Preparedness, the Northeast Alabama Law Enforcement Academy and a range of recreational facilities.
A military legacy
Established in 1917 as Camp McClellan, the site was initially used to train soldiers for World War I. Renamed in honor of Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan, a Civil War general, it became a permanent installation in 1929.
During World War II, Fort McClellan played a pivotal role in training nearly 500,000 soldiers.
For more than 80 years, the fort hosted some of the Army’s most renowned units and schools, including the Army Chemical School, the Military Police School and the Women’s Army Corps Center.
During the Vietnam War, its Advanced Individual Training Infantry Brigade trained more than 30,000 soldiers.
The fort’s closure in 1999 marked the end of its military service and the beginning of a civilian-focused transformation.
— Star Staff Writer Bill Wilson contributed to this article.
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