The Real Deal

By Sharman Egan

Lagniappe columnist

If you’re interested in the Mobile real estate market, you have to wonder what’s going on with development on the Western Shore. Or more specifically, why there isn’t more of it? Why is there such a feeding frenzy among developers along the Eastern Shore while very little seems to be happening on the west side of the Bay?

As it turns out, there are a number of projects planned on the Western Shore with activity centered in the Fowl River area. These projects are driven primarily by a new sewer line that will be installed next year in the Bellefontaine area. The line will run south from Degussa Road to about two miles north of Fowl River, according to a representative from MAWSS (Mobile Area Water and Sewer System).

The new line is being built specifically for a development group, Mobile Bay Area Partners LLC, which is planning a 500-acre development on Mobile Bay along Salt Aire Road, about one mile north of Fowl River. The developers are paying for the new sewer line, at least in part.

Two other infrastructure projects will also have an impact. Rangeline Road will be extended from Laurendine Road south to Fowl River, easing traffic flow by adding two more lanes and eliminating two four-way stops. A new bridge across Fowl River at Dauphin Island Parkway is also under construction. These projects will help development in the area, but in the end, it’s really all about the sewer.

The new sewer line will have a much wider impact on the area than just a single subdivision. By bringing sewer much closer to Fowl River it will become more cost effective for other developers to build further south since they only have to bear the cost of connecting to the extended sewer line.

This impact can be seen, for example, in another large project that is being planned just north of Fowl River near Brynewood Road. This 60-acre project will include condominiums, single-family homes and a 62-slip marina. The developers plan to tie into the sewer line extension that is already approved.

So will South Mobile County see the development and buying frenzy that has taken place in Baldwin County? The above developers are not accepting pre-sales, but if sales at a third project, The Gates of Fowl River, are any indication, the answer may be yes

This project, located next to the Fowl River Marina, will consist of 41 homes on over eight acres with a swimming pool and boat slips. The first phase of 20 lots is being pre-sold at prices ranging from $225,000 to $400,000.

Listing agent Susu Stuardi of Dauphin Realty says if you want to get into the first phase, you better move quickly. “We just started selling a couple of weeks ago and we’ve already pre-sold over 25 percent of the lots just from word of mouth. We haven’t done any marketing at all.”

A check of the Mobile Multiple Listing Service shows the lots aren’t even listed yet.

The developers of the Salt Aire Road and Brynewood Road projects said it was too early to talk about details, but they were willing to share their opinions on how their projects will impact the market.

Both developers describe their projects as “smart growth” that will set a benchmark for future development in the area, and they are carefully planning their projects to fit this model.

Although Fowl River is not in an urban area per se, these developments are expected to follow the “New Urbanism” model which calls for smaller lots and more green space than conventional subdivisions. “Basically what we’re doing is a traditional coastal village,” said Bay Haas, a partner in the project. “It’s something that hasn’t been done yet in the Mobile area.”

“Every area needs a model,” said Jeremy Sommer, Senior Associate with Historical Concepts, an architectural and planning firm in Atlanta that is working on the design for the Brynewood Road project. “We want to show that you can do development in a different way.”

The developers of the Salt Aire Road project also have lofty ambitions.

“We expect that this project will anchor this side of the bay,” said Rick Collins of Bay Area Properties, a partner in the project. “Hopefully it will stop industrial development directly on the bay,” he said.

These developers are optimistic about the potential for their projects and development along the Western Shore.

“We’re very bullish about this market. We feel strongly that it is an opportunity to compete with Baldwin County for residents,” said Mr. Collins. “When we first put the property on the market a year or so ago, we weren’t sure what to expect. But there was significant interest from developers, especially out-of-town developers. When they saw a large piece of waterfront land like this, 10 minutes from an interstate and 20 minutes from a good-size city, there was immediate interest. That’s what solidified our feeling that this was a market with great potential.”

Haas is equally optimistic.

“We’re in a time of change like we’ve never seen before,” Haas said. “I don’t think there’s any question that we will see a tremendous transformation in the next few years. These are exciting times for Mobile County.”

Sharman Egan covers real estate and business for Lagniappe. E-mail her at Sharman@SharmanEgan.com

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