Homewood residents have launched a new petition opposing Samford University's proposed Creekside development. The petition, "Protect Homewood: Stop Samford University's Creekside Development," gathered nearly 300 signatures within a few days.
Declaring, "To be clear: we are not against Samford University as an institution of higher education or the students and staff who contribute to our community. We are against Samford acting as a private land developer, prioritizing its own expansion over the needs and desires of Homewood citizens," the petition seeks to stop the development and ask the city to bring some of the requests to residents via a referendum.
Last month, 1819 News reported that the Christian college would be breaking its longstanding teetotalling tradition by selling alcohol at the development.
University president Beck Taylor told the Samford Crimson, "The current development plan would likely include restaurants that sell beer and wine."
"The hotel would probably also sell alcohol," he added. "Our board of trustees have approved some amendments to our alcohol policy to allow for (this)."
The university provided a copy of its alcohol policy, which states that "Samford Campus" is defined as "Property owned or leased by Samford University wherever located (including, but not limited to, property both North of Lakeshore Drive and South of Lakeshore Drive)."
The size and scope of the development came as a surprise to many residents, with the overwhelming majority opposed to the project.
Over two hours were devoted to the project during a contentious Homewood Planning Commission meeting on March 4, and frustration was evident, with residents lining up to air their concerns.
The first vote was tabled but brought back and passed on April Fool's Day. The planning commission recommended that the project go to the council in a 6-3 vote.
Since then, the university has announced that they have changed some of the development plans, with the developer declaring, "We've saved the salamanders," one of the many concerns residents posed.
WVTM 13 reports that residents don't believe that goes far enough. The story summarizes the changes, "Under the revised plan for the Creekside District at Samford, the track and soccer field would disappear, in its place a hotel, restaurants and shops. However, the big change is on the east side of the proposed development. That area will remain largely untouched because it's the area around Shades Creek, which is critical salamander habitat, and many had expressed concerns about what high-density construction in the area would do to the various salamander species."
Steve Kampwerth, the HOA president at Woodridge Place with back-ups to the property, told the outlet.
"I really want to see them grow because it's a fine institution. But they also need to recognize that they are in a fairly heavily populated residential community. They're not a commercial entity in a commercial district," Kampwerth said.
The petition closes with a request for Homewood's elected officials, "Homewood does not need this development. Samford and its development partner, Landmark, may benefit — but the people of Homewood will not.
"We ask you to protect the character, environment and values of our city, and to stand with us — the people you were elected to represent."
The petition reads:
The Issue
Petition Against the Proposed Creekside Development by Samford University
As a concerned citizen of Homewood, I write not with legal teams or public relations firms, but with a deep and abiding love for the community I call home. The proposed Creekside Development by Samford University does not reflect the values of our neighborhood, and I stand with my neighbors in firm opposition to this plan.
Many residents of Homewood share serious concerns about this project. Samford’s plan to transform a vital section of Lakeshore Drive for its private gain undermines the integrity of our town and places institutional expansion above community wellbeing. We urge you, our public officials, to ensure that any development within Homewood benefits our residents and protects the unique character of our city.
To be clear: we are not against Samford University as an institution of higher education or the students and staff who contribute to our community. We are against Samford acting as a private land developer, prioritizing its own expansion over the needs and desires of Homewood citizens.
The proposed development — which includes 435 residential units classified as "Samford-affiliated" and a 150-room hotel — threatens to upend community trust, degrade sensitive ecosystems, and dramatically alter the balance we’ve worked hard to preserve.
Key concerns include:
Environmental damage to a delicate ecosystem, potentially endangering species like the Homewood Salamander.
Increased traffic congestion on Lakeshore Drive — a major artery for our city.
Loss of public space potentially encroaching on our youth soccer complex.
Negative impact on property values and the peaceful residential character of the area.
Skyline disruption and long-term aesthetic impacts on a cherished stretch of our community.
Moreover, this project undermines long-term commercial revitalization efforts:Brookwood Village sits mostly vacant and in need of redevelopment. This new project would undercut any chance to bring Brookwood back to life.
Existing businesses — including hotels that already invested in Homewood — would face unnecessary competition rather than collaboration.
Tax benefits are dubious at best: Samford has already requested tax breaks, and as a tax-exempt institution, it could classify hotel income as university revenue, avoiding hotel occupancy taxes. The 435 units of Samford-affiliated housing could add over 1,000 residents with little tax contribution to the city, while rent flows to the university.
This isn’t just a new development — it’s a transformation that brings public disruption with little to no public benefit. That is simply unacceptable.We must also consider the long-term costs:
The Lakeshore Trail — a beloved public space — would be jeopardized.
School access could be restricted.
Public facilities like the soccer fields would be placed under commercial pressure.
The entire area’s traffic, environment, and livability would suffer.
We are calling on you, our city officials and elected representatives, to reject the Creekside East and West Development Plans and deny any rezoning requests that would enable their progress.Furthermore, we demand that no hotel, high-density housing, or alterations to the Homewood Soccer Fields be approved without a public referendum. The community deserves a voice in decisions of this magnitude.
Homewood does not need this development. Samford and its development partner, Landmark, may benefit — but the people of Homewood will not.
We ask you to protect the character, environment, and values of our city, and to stand with us — the people you were elected to represent.
Say NO to Creekside. Say YES to Homewood
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