TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WBRC) – The first-of-its kind Sports Illustrated Hotel is one step closer in becoming a reality.

According to the Tuscaloosa City Council, developers hope to start moving dirt in January if all goes well.

The location of the hotel on Rice Mine Road and Highway 82 is on about 40 acres on the river. It is there where developers connected to the Sports Illustrated Hotel want to build a 9-story hotel, a mix of hotel rooms, condos, timeshares, and retail.

All told, we’re talking about $350 million dollar project. The planning and zoning committee has approved it, and it now goes before the Tuscaloosa City Council. That vote will likely by the end of October.

City leaders say they are prepared to answer any and all questions and concerns about the project.

“Most of those concerns have really kind a centered around traffic, they’ve centered around.. ‘I have a concern about how the timeshares work, how is that going to look’ and then also what other impact could be on this community from this development,” said District 3 Tuscaloosa City Councilman Norm Crow.

Two public meetings are scheduled before the city council vote later this month. Councilman Crow is hosting a community meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 8 beginning at 4:45 at Indian Hills Country Club.

There will also be a public hearing on the matter on Oct. 15 during the Tuscaloosa City Council meeting at city hall.

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