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Getting worseEconomy & Tax BaseCONFIRMED

$95 million in tax rebates, committed everywhere but the mall

While the Galleria declined, the city committed tens of millions in tax rebates to build new retail and mixed-use elsewhere, budgeting about $3.9 million in rebate payments for FY2026 alone.

Where it stands

Getting worse

Hits residents

6/10

Years covered

2023–2026

Sources

3 linked

~$95M
Sum of four multi-year incentive caps identified in city and council records

As of 2026-07

$3.9M
Developer rebate payments budgeted for FY2026

As of 2026

$42M
Largest single package, for Riverwalk Village

As of 2023-11

What happened

Hoover has authorized four multi-year incentive packages totalling roughly $95 million, based on the city’s own published caps: up to $25 million over 19 years for Stadium Trace Village Phase 1, raised from $20 million in July 2026; $23 million for Stadium Trace Village Phases 2 and 3; $42 million for Riverwalk Village, including $25.8 million in rebates and up to $16 million in cash; and up to $5 million for Village at Brock’s Gap Phase 2. The city has published no single consolidated schedule of these commitments, so the $95 million figure is an addition of four public caps, not a city total. The FY2026 budget itemizes $3,900,245 in developer rebate payments for the year. The city argues the rebates are self-funding, paid only from tax revenue the projects themselves generate, with some agreements reverting to full city collection after a set period. No comparable incentive package has been offered for the Galleria.

Timeline

  1. Council approves Riverwalk Village’s $42 million incentive package on a 5-2 vote.

    Hoover Sun (hooversun.com)
  2. Council approves up to $5 million in rebates for Village at Brock’s Gap Phase 2.

    Hoover Sun (hooversun.com)
  3. Council unanimously approves $23 million for Stadium Trace Village Phases 2 and 3.

    280 Living (280living.com)
  4. Council adds $5 million to Stadium Trace Village Phase 1, raising its cap to $25 million.

    Hoover Sun (hooversun.com)

Who's involved

  • Broad Metro LLC

    Developer of Stadium Trace Village

  • Council President Casey Middlebrooks

    Council leadership on the incentive votes

  • Councilman Gene Smith

    Argued the underlying land gains value once developed

The other side

The city argues the rebates are self-funding, drawn only from taxes the projects themselves generate, and that some phases revert to full city tax collection after a set period.

Open questions

  • No consolidated public schedule of all outstanding rebate commitments and remaining balances has been published.
  • Whether any agreement has performance triggers that have been missed is not established.

Sources (3)