Sports Illustrated scales down Tuscaloosa resort plans after complaints

Tuscaloosa residents Thursday got a look at the new design of a proposed Sport Illustrated themed development.

The Tuscaloosa Thread reported residents saw the new proposal, which has scraped an earlier conception that included a hotel, in favor of a timeshare concept.

A larger scale design which came before the city last year drew objections from residents who were concerned about increasing traffic on Rice Mine Road, among other concerns.

Developers say the project would create about 120 permanent resort jobs.

The resort, announced in 2023, was announced as part of a network of sports-themed resort and lifestyle complexes in popular college towns near universities with devoted fan bases.

Plans could be submitted to the City Council within a month, according to WBRC.

The new design removes a 137-room hotel and shelves four towers of condos and timeshare units, as well as another building.

The resort would now have buildings no taller than six stories, and about 12,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space.