Story by Paul South
Submitted Photos
A few years ago, when Kent Back ran for this Coosa River town’s governing council, his message was clear: “I told people that whoever wins this election will get the opportunity to reimagine Gadsden.”
Since taking office, Mayor Craig Ford, his administration and the city council – with Back as its chairman – have worked to reimagine the city. Improvements to Noccalula Falls, growth in the downtown business district and economic development on the Coosa have been big news.
Now, Guntersville developer Patrick Lawler is opening a new chapter on the blossoming waterfront – Coosa Harbor.
The mixed-use development, with an estimated value “north of $20 million” will include 20 condominiums, selling for $500,000 each, as well as retail shops and restaurants, another step toward recasting Gadsden as a destination city.
While the development in its final form may be larger, current plans have the development at 34,000 square feet, said Patrick Lawler, the CEO of P Lawler, LLC.
City officials reached out to Lawler and after a series of meetings with Ford and Director of Economic Development John Moore, the project got the green light.
Gadsden’s biggest attraction for Lawler? Not surprisingly, the Coosa River.
“They had water,” Lawler said. “I don’t build anything that’s not on the water.”
Lawler has one waterfront project up and running in his hometown of Guntersville – City Harbor. The $30 million development on Lake Guntersville has proven wildly popular.
In April 2024, the city of Decatur approved plans for a 75,000 square foot development at Ingalls Harbor.
Lawler and Gadsden officials hope for a repeat performance of Guntersville’s success when Coosa Harbor comes online in a few years. Lawler is currently in discussions with Alabama Power officials regarding electrical infrastructure for the project.
Lawler was attracted to Gadsden after an initial meeting with Ford. “He gave me their vision for the city and what they have in the works right now, I think the future for Gadsden is really going to upturn in a positive direction.”
Lawler has been approached by other cities, but turned them down. Gadsden was different.
“I liked the site, and the numbers made sense as far as what other restaurants were doing down there, gross (receipt) wise. It just checked all the boxes.”
He added, “I’m impressed with their vision for the whole waterfront area. I think we’re going to be the centerpiece of that and a catalyst for development of the whole waterfront area.”
Restaurant tenants confirmed for Coosa Harbor are Big Mike’s Steakhouse, Lost Pizza, Kilwin’s Ice Cream and Levi’s on the Lake, a live music venue.
Aesthetically, the architectural style and finishes are going to be similar to the Guntersville project.
“Being on the water, it will be a high energy development,” Lawler said. “There will be the right lighting, video boards and outdoor live music. There’s a reason cities call us. We have a proven product.”
Back agreed. He’s visited City Harbor in Guntersville “three or four times. It’s been no secret as far as the phenomenal success that Patrick has had in Guntersville with his project on the lake up there,” Back said. “I think half of Gadsden has been to City Harbor and really enjoyed it.”
He had high praise for the finished product. “(City Harbor) is very clean. The architecture and everything is just really cool.”
For decades, Gadsden has wanted to take advantage of its most visible natural resource that flows through the heart of the city. But until now, that’s never really happened with the exception of riverwalks on both sides of the river.
With projects like Coosa Harbor, that’s changing. “After seeing what was going on in Guntersville, I think it was just, ‘How can we get that guy to come to Gadsden and do the same thing?’ I think he’s caught the vision of the mayor and the Council on how to grow Gadsden and be progressive and moving forward,” Back said.
The projects fits into plans to stretch the city’s entertainment district past Rainbow Drive (U.S. Highway 411) to the river.
“I think Patrick’s vision of how (Coosa Harbor) is laid out and just the quality of the craftsmanship and the workmanship … and the restaurants and the businesses there will give Gadsden something that we never had before on the river. It’ll bring new restaurants and retail that we’ve not had.”
The city is giving Lawler the site, as well as $1.5 million of in-kind services for site preparation.
To critics of that aspect of Coosa Harbor, Back said, “The reality of it is, every project that comes to any city receives those kinds of legal inducements. It’s part of how it works. The reality is you have to make that investment to get that development.”
Based on conservative estimates, the project will mean a boost to city revenues of $700,000 to $800,000 in sales taxes, along with new jobs, Back said.
“That’s a real win for the city,” Back said.
For Lawler, who has been a developer since his early 20s, Coosa Harbor is good news for Gadsden and its citizens, as well as for surrounding areas.
“It’ll be very positive for the community,” he said. “It will be enjoyed by all. It’ll be 100 percent positive for the city and for future development also. I’m excited about being in Gadsden. I’m excited about the forward thinking that Mayor Ford and the Council have. I have to give the mayor a lot of credit. He’s the one who sold me on it.”
It’s another chapter in the transformation in Gadsden. The city is no longer a tire and steel town.
Just as in his campaign, Back has another clear message about Gadsden, evidenced by projects like Coosa Harbor.
“This is our time.”
