"I think all of us want to feel something that we’ve forgotten or turned our backs on. Because maybe we didn’t realize how much we were leaving behind. We need to remember what used to be good…" –Jenna Rink, “13 Going on 30”
Municipal elections are upon us here in Hoover. In less than two weeks, we will elect a mayor and city council members. Councilmen Casey Middlebrooks and Steve McClinton ran unopposed, so they are already locked in. The other races are competitive.
The two mayoral candidates – incumbent Frank Brocato and challenger Nick Derzis – appear to have different visions for the city.
Brocato, the mayor of Hoover since 2016, has focused on Hoover’s future. His campaign slogan is “Forward.” According to a recent Shelby County Reporter article, he wants to move Hoover forward in economic development. Certainly nothing wrong with that! He wants Hoover to become more industrialized like a Nashville, Tenn., or a Greenville, S.C., rather than keep pace with Birmingham suburbs like Alabaster or Mountain Brook.
Derzis also sees great economic potential in Hoover’s future, but he is steadfastly addressing what we’ve left behind. The Galleria, which opened in 1986, is struggling. The shops at Patton Creek, directly across from the Galleria, are mainly empty storefronts. In the last decade, “old Hoover,” or the areas close to Highway 31 and Highway 150, have grown more deserted.
Multiple excuses exist for the loss of businesses. There are multiple owners of the Galleria, and the city can’t control what businesses leave or what rent is at Patton Creek. But you can’t tell me that a deal can’t be struck with persistent negotiations and the right incentives. These storefronts are deserted, making Hoover look like a has-been city, while shops just a few exits up on Highway 280 at The Summit flourish.
In March of this year, Brocato opted for another study of the Galleria, costing taxpayers $200,000. In August 2024, WBRC 6 News reported that the Hoover City Council voted to pay IRS fines and that the city owed more than $200,000. It appeared that notices had been stuck in a file and ignored in the city’s previously understaffed finance office. In April 2025, the city allocated $4 million in stormwater repairs for the intersection of Highway 31, Lorna Road, and John Hawkins Parkway. Could the developers have been held accountable to pay for these drainage issues? The world will never know.
Hoover resident Steve Lawrence, who is also running for city council, has been the city’s unofficial DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) expert. He has broken down the complicated Riverwalk situation and the findings are painful. According to Lawrence, Brocato wanted to have a healthcare facility in Riverchase. So, he went to a developer who purchased the North and South towers from Regions Bank, along with parking decks, a bridge, and more than 75 acres of land. The North tower is leased to Regions Bank, from which the developer makes money, and the South tower will also provide profit for the developer. The ambulatory surgical center will eventually be on the third floor of the South tower. The city has committed $25 million of taxpayer money to the developer – 73% of what he paid. In addition, the city got the CON (Certificate of Need), which is set to expire on Nov 3, 2025, according to a letter from the State Health Planning and Development Agency. Hoover city is allegedly still in negotiations for a surgical group for the South Tower. The developer sold 24 acres of land to another developer to develop 370+ apartments, a hotel, and retail space. Added up, the incentive agreements that Hoover City agreed to is another $54 million over 20 years. We gave 85% of construction sales tax for seven years, 85% retail sales tax, 85% lodging tax, and 50% of the city portion of the property tax that we were previously making 100% on before this deal. What does the city get? According to Lawrence, the city gets the BILL. Pure and simple, it’s a bad deal.
Derzis, who served Hoover as Chief of Police for 20 years, has advocated talking to residents about what they want to see developed in Hoover. In Town Hall meetings, Derzis has stressed that Hoover’s government must be “a government for the people, by the people” and that residents must be the driving force behind the direction in which Hoover heads. He has been endorsed by four current city council members, former Mayor Tony Petelos, former City Executive Director Allen Pate, retired Fire Chief Chuck Wingate, and many city council candidates.
The reference at the beginning of this article is a quote from the romantic comedy movie “13 Going on 30.” It tugs at our nostalgic heartstrings. My family moved to Hoover in 1971. We saw the Hoover Mall (Hoover Commons) get built. My mom bought me my first 45 record (“Wham Bam Shang-a-Lang”) at Camelot Music. Across the highway, we ate burgers and ice cream at Green Valley Drugstore. My mom and I shopped for Homecoming dresses at the Galleria after it was built in 1986.
Suffice it to say, I’m sentimental when it comes to Hoover. I am not against progress, but I want to maintain some of the historical integrity of Highway 31. It’s my Route 66. Repurpose buildings and stores, but don’t let them rot. Ensure future developments represent the residents of this city, rather than be the extravagant pet projects of city leaders. It’s OUR money they are spending recklessly.
On Tuesday, Aug. 26, Hoover residents have a choice to make. Whoever wins the election will be with us for the next four years, so vote wisely.
Progress can be good, and any healthy city grows. But there are some city servants who appear to have forgotten how much we’ve left behind. It’s time to remember what used to be good and restore it.
Kristin Landers is a substitute teacher and freelance writer. Landers’ previous work includes serving as Communications Director for the Alabama Policy Institute and working for Citizens Against a Legalized Lottery (CALL) to defeat legalized gambling in the state of Alabama.
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please send an email with your name and contact information to [email protected].
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