Developer John Argo says the Cottonwood Corners project could start September 1st. The $16 million, nearly 70,000 square foot project that will feature a Publix, recently got good news from the Houston County Commission.

Commissioners voted in favor of granting the land on Cottonwood Road and Ross Clark Circle brownfield tax abatement status. The Dothan City Commission will decide the same next week.

The Alabama Brownfield Development Tax Abatement Act allows a local government to set aside all mortgage and recording taxes, local and state taxes, and ad valorem taxes that are not designated for education. The law allows a developer to remain in that status for 20 years.

It is an incentive to spur redevelopment on land that has seen contamination from past industry. It is estimated that Cottonwood Corners would cave more than $60,000 a year if granted the tax break

"Everybody works together in a partnership type arrangement," says Cottonwood Corner Developer John Argo of Aronov Realty. "And its a great way to deal with environmental issues you may find on sites, get them cleaned up, and then move forward in a manner together."

The site of the future development once featured a semi-trailer manufacturer. Westway, an even larger development by the same company will also feature a Publix. It will be located on John D. Odom and 84 West, but will not be eligible for the tax cut.

"When you find environmental issues on a site and you have to clean them up," says Argo. "There is potential future exposure as well and costs if we find other things later when we are under development. The statute provides limits of liability which is attractive to us as an investor."

Argo says if everything goes according to plan Cottonwood Corners will open next May, and Westway in July 2010.

The City Commission will take up the vote at their next meeting. Commissioner Seagle and Newsome expressed some concerns with the tax break at the last meeting. Commissioner Paul Lee has previously said he would vote in favor of the project coming to his district.