The City of Andalusia on Thursday announced an $11 million public-private partnership that will add hotel rooms to the community and preserve one of its most iconic landmarks.
The City is partnering with Jason Wood and his development team, who formed Andalusia Hotel Properties to create the Andalusian Boutique Hotel, a 58-room facility in the 6-story First National Bank Building located on the Court Square. The building, completed in 1922, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The project also takes in the two upper floors of the former Andala Building, where the destination restaurant, Big Mike's, is located on the ground floor. The two buildings will be connected with a sky walk.
The hotel will be soft branded as an Ascend Collection by Choice Hotels International and rooms are available in its central reservation network.
Mayor Earl Johnson said the project has been five years in the making.
"We began talking with Jason about this project in 2020," Johnson said. "We have worked closely with him to take advantage of historic tax credits and new market tax credits, all of which took a considerable amount of time.
"His plan for the hotel is for it to be as unique as the building that anchors it, and we believe this will be a good thing for Andalusia," Johnson said.
Wood, who is originally from West Alabama, has a long history in the hotel business. He has developed unique hotel projects in Destin, Gulf Shores, Panama City Beach and Grayton Beach, along with numerous hotel projects in his native West Alabama – East Mississippi area.
The new hotel is also only a block away from Heritage Park, currently under construction on South Cotton Street. The new park will have a water feature, ampitheater, walking trails and biking trails. Phase I is on track to be completed later this year, and long-term plans call for the addition of a carousel and other features.
The First National Bank Building was designed by Montgomery architect Frank Lockwood, who also designed the Covington County Courthouse. It was completed in 1922 at a cost of $115,000, or $2.1 million in today's dollars.
Amendment 725 to the Constitution of Alabama 1901 authorizes certain municipalities in Covington County, including Andalusia, to participate in economic development.
Mayor Earl Johnson on Tuesday signed a proclamation declaring April 18, 2025, as Two Lights for Tomorrow Day in Andalusia, and joining the Old Three Notch chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in encouraging people to participate in this remembrance.
Two Lights for Tomorrow Day marks the 250th anniversary of the historic and perilous ride of Paul Revere, William Dawes, and other alarm riders to alert everyone in the young American countryside of impending hostile action from the British army in Boston, Massachusetts. The ride is considered one of many events that began the year before independence was declared on July 4, 1776.
Prior to their departure from Boston, a prearranged signal was set in the Old North Church steeple to ensure that the message was spread and did not solely rely on just one or two alarm riders. The two lanterns were immortalized in in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem Paul Revere’s Ride as “One if by land, and two if by sea” and have become an enduring symbol of American vigilance, perseverance and preparedness in the face of adversity.
The DAR is joining with America 250/Alabama in planning recognitions of America’s semiquincentennial next year. The United States Semiquincentennial Commission has asked that two lights be displayed in public spaces across the country for all to see on April 18th, marking the anniversary and beginning the 250th anniversary commemorations leading up to the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026.
Local DAR Regent Carol Ann Mullins said DAR members encourage area government offices, businesses and churches, as well as individuals, to use two lights on April 18 to raise awareness of the Semiquincentennial Celebration.
“Even though the American Revolution occurred long before Alabama became a state, we do have history that dates to the time of the Revolution,” Mullins said. “For instance, there was a Revolutionary War battle in what is now Mobile County.”
Mullins said the DAR also is participating in Alabama’s April observance of the 200th anniversary of the visit of the Marquis de Lafayette to the United States, and to Alabama, beginning at Fort Mitchell, Alabama and ending at Mobile Point, Alabama, on April 8th, 1825. Lafayette visited many communities and engaged in various activities presented to him by the cultures that were there.
The official ceremonies begin with a wreath laying ceremony at State Capitol on April 3; Lafayette Day at Old Alabama in Montgomery on April 4; events at the Old Cahawba Archeological Park on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.; and culminating on Sunday at the historic Masonic Lodge in Perdue Hill from 1:30 until 4 p.m.
For additional information about the state and national celebrations, visit america250al.org.
There’s power in teamwork, especially when it comes to holding down the price we all pay for electricity. We’re sharing easy ways to do that — and the more consumers who join, the more we can hold down costs for everyone.
It’s as simple as delaying your energy use during peak times when many people demand electricity at once. This works because the cost the Utilities Board of the City of Andalusia pays for wholesale power is determined, in part, by peak demands for it.
On cold winter mornings and hot summer afternoons when peaks occur, the need for electricity rises — and the cost of wholesale power rises with it. Helping is easy. Simply shift the time you use electricity by a few hours.
During winter, delay chores that require electricity until afternoon hours. These are off-peak times when less people will be using energy and wholesale power costs are lower. Winter’s peak hours are 5 a.m. until 9 a.m.
Here’s what you can do during peak times:
· Adjust your thermostat. Bump it up a few degrees in summer and down in winter.
· Delay the use of hot water. Set your dishwasher to run during an off-peak time and postpone baths and showers.
· Give those large appliances a rest. Delay using the washing machine, dryer, dishwasher and stove until off-peak times.
· Turn off unneeded lights and electronics, like gaming systems.
It may not seem like much, but when you and other consumers take these simple steps to reduce power use during peak times, it helps even out the need for electricity. Most importantly, you’ll be doing your part to keep power costs as low as possible, not just for you but for all consumers. That’s a win-win!
Representatives of Beacon of Hope were on hand when Mayor Earl Johnson this week signed a proclamation recognizing Autism Awareness Month. Autism is a lifelong neurological disorder which affects one in 36 children. Beacon of Hope uses applied behavior analysis (ABA) intervention to teach skills and decrease problem behaviors to improve quality of life.
Shown with Mayor Johnson are Temica Hicks, Carly Hartline and Sabrina Hudson.
The Jan. 21, 2025, Andalusia City Council meeting time previously postponed until Thursday, January 23, has been rescheduled for noon on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025.
The meeting will be held in the third floor conference room. All matters originally scheduled for January 21st will be addressed in the Thursday noon meeting.