Exciting Changes Could Be Coming To Albertville’s Vacant Site

There could finally be some movement on one of the most visible — and long-vacant — properties in the region.

LEP Holdings has brought a redevelopment proposal to the Albertville City Council for the east side of the Albertville Outlet Mall property. If approved, the plan would transform the long-shuttered buildings east of Labeaux Avenue into a new commercial development called “Due Pointe Commons.”

But the proposal faces some significant hurdles.

Get our free mobile app

A Long-Vacant, “Blighted” Property

The four buildings on the east side of Labeaux Avenue have sat empty for years. The 15-acre parcel was officially designated as “blighted” by the city — a label that reflects both the deteriorating condition of the structures and the lack of productive use.

LEP Holdings is proposing to demolish the existing buildings and redevelop the land into 10 separate lots. The preliminary concept includes:

• A car wash
• An oil change facility
• Four drive-through restaurants
• Four mixed-use commercial buildings

On paper, it’s the kind of project that could bring new traffic, tax base, and energy back to a high-profile corridor.

The Biggest Obstacle: Deed Restrictions

At a February 2 city council meeting, local business owner Cody Kampschorer — owner of Due North Car Wash — outlined why the project may not be so simple.

According to Kampschorer, the purchase price of the property, the cost of demolition, and existing deed restrictions could be “devastating” to the project’s feasibility.

Those deed restrictions are the central issue.

The restrictions prohibit any business that would compete with retail or restaurant operations located on the west side of the outlet mall. That significantly narrows what can legally operate on the east side.

Currently, permitted uses would include:

• Auto repair
• Daycare facilities
• Entertainment venues
• Hotels
• Schools
• Studios
• Fitness centers

Retail and restaurant uses — key revenue drivers in many commercial developments — are effectively off the table if they compete with the outlet mall.

Negotiations Have Stalled

Kampschorer said he has met with the deed restriction owner in an effort to clarify or modify the restrictions, but those conversations have not been productive.

He also explored purchasing just two acres for a standalone car wash project. However, the property owner was reportedly unwilling to divide the parcel.

City Support — With Caveats

City officials have indicated they would welcome another car wash in Albertville. However, they also acknowledge that the deed restrictions make this specific location complicated.

Other potential sites in the city lack the visibility and access that the outlet mall corridor provides — two factors that are critical for a high-traffic business like a car wash.

For now, the future of the east side of the Albertville Outlet Mall remains uncertain. The city appears supportive of redevelopment in concept, but until the deed restrictions are resolved, “Due Pointe Commons” faces an uphill climb.