13 minute read
City Harbor
Docked steamboat, swing set, multiple-use development augmenting the natural attraction of Lake Guntersville ...
City Harbor’s set to open this spring
Story and photos By David Moore
Driving into town from the north on U.S. 431, crossing Veterans Memorial Bridge, ahead at Guntersville City Harbor you see a sprawling, modern development nearing completion. With a little imagination, one might envision a huge paddle-wheeler that miraculously steamed out of the past to dock here.
Extensive decking on the bow creates a stage for music and dancing on the water. Overlooking the bow stage stands a long, two-story section of windowed ballrooms, airy restaurants. The main decks of the imagined vessel – corresponding to the main, boiler and hurricane decks of a steamboat – are three stories tall, the top two lined with slats and railing along a row of stateroom doors. Midships, between the main decks and the ballrooms and restaurants stands a four-story pilot house.
No big, tell-tale red paddle wheel is mounted on the stern of the imagined boat, but near the development’s “stern” three chubby white smokestacks jut skyward with a big, tell-tale, red-lighted letters on top that announce: City Harbor.
That, of course, is the name of this multi-use development Guntersville native Patrick Lawler is creating at the north end of town on the shores of Lake Guntersville. It’s targeted for completion this spring.
While the development appears to float on the lake, it’s actually built on the eastern spit of land that creates the harbor.
City Harbor’s 55,000 square feet of space includes four restaurants, a freestanding bar, a brewpub, two retail spaces, 20 condominiums, an event center, floating docks with 40 boat slips and another 10 tie-ups. All of this is surrounded by more than an acre of sprawling promenade deck space that includes a dance floor and band stand.
And water? It’s just everywhere you look.
Welcome to City Harbor.
On a nice day in November, Patrick is making his rounds as workers measure, saw, wire, plumb and hammer away on City Harbor. Sun glimmers off the ubiquitous water, liquid magic that simultaneously offers solace, excitement and beauty. The lake is the linchpin of the entire project, the watery key to P. Lawler Enterprise’s investment of untold millions of dollars.
“If this were not on the water,” Patrick says, “I would not have any interest in it. Every project I attack has a structure and plan for success. It’s not just ‘build this’ and hope it works out.”
Son of Patty Hammonds and his late step-dad, Jake Hammonds, Patrick spent his high school years in Guntersville before moving to Dallas at age 20. Along with his scant belongings, he took with him an intense work ethic and fundamental
Patrick Lawler has a ground lease for 80 years for City Harbor. He built offices for P. Lawler Enterprises next to the silos, left. His son, Ryan, works with him. Both will relocate their families from Texas.
business skills he uncorked as a kid selling used bicycles so he could eventually afford a new one of his own. In Texas, he parlayed this foundation into success in the wholesale automobile business and later real estate.
But he never lost interest in Guntersville and that big, ol’ beautiful lake.
Patrick and his wife, the former Kim Gilbert of Albertville, extensively remodeled the house on Browns Creek where he had lived. That story was featured in the 2016 summer issue of Good Life Magazine.
Patrick’s first commercial project here dates to 1998, when he restored the condemned Guntersville Hospital building – most people thought it beyond hope – transforming it into Ringold Plaza.
“He gets motivated when people say he can’t do something,” Kim has said more than once.
In 2013, Patrick developed Creek Path Estates in Guntersville, followed by the Snug Harbor community and boat house at Honeycomb. Then came The Reserve at Lake Guntersville, a 120-acre development with 113 lots overlooking the main channel of the Tennessee River with views stretching from Guntersville Dam to the far reaches of Browns Creek. Patrick has completed the development and all its amenities and – capitalizing on the growth of Huntsville and Madison – sold 70 percent of the lots.
“It’s been really good,” he says.
Standing on the unfinished deck at City Harbor, Patrick pauses to think about the origins of this latest development.
“I’ve had my eye on this tract a long time,” he says. “It’s always intrigued me. I saw the opportunity. When something gets in my head, the squirrel or hamster on that wheel starts running.”
It was 2016 when he first pitched the idea to Guntersville Mayor Leigh Dollar.
“She will do what is best for the city,” Patrick says. “That’s one thing I like about her.”
Patrick predicts City Harbor will enhance the intrinsic appeal of Guntersville’s natural resources and make it even more of a destination.
He walks through a condo unit. They’ll have two bedrooms, two baths, full kitchens, high-end finishes – and, of course, lake balconies – and be available for rent at an introductory offer of $250 per night. City Harbor will be an impressive gateway into Guntersville for visitors – especially those arriving on U.S. 431 from the north and by water. Locals, no doubt, will enjoy it too. Since the accompanying architectural renderings were made by Chambless King of Montgomery, developer Patrick Lawler has moved the arbor on the end of the expansive deck, above, farther to the right and added a free-standing bar between the trees and the two-story section of restaurants and the event center.
“With live music, multiple restaurants and bars, where would you stay? And we have boat slips for people arriving by water,” Patrick says. “I believe the condos will do tremendously.”
The variety of good restaurants and the brewpub will be strong draws, too.
For instance, Big Mike’s Steakhouse. The signature restaurant at City Harbor, it has locations in Thomasville, Andalusia, Orange Beach, Moundville and Auburn.
“I had heard everybody talk about it. I knew from the buzz I wanted to pursue it. I tried it and loved it. The quality of their product and their casual dining experience is a good fit for the lake.”
With all City Harbor offers, Patrick says, “It will be a destination.”
It would be hard for most people to
look at the project and not draw some variation of this one-word assessment: “Cool.”
Brandon Nelson readily agrees. Project manager for City Harbor’s general contractor, Milam and Co. of Birmingham, he’s built big developments for more than 20 years.
“I’ve never had anything this cool,” he says. “This is an all-around awesome project … a ‘resume project,’ something you want on your resume.”
Mike Cole, head chef of Big Mike’s Steakhouse, was sold on City Harbor before he ever saw it.
In the early days of construction, Patrick sent his jet to pick up Mike and his partners Scott Powell and Caine Conway for a visit. He had prepared packets of renderings, demographics, tax information and financials for them to study on the plane flight.
Patrick, meeting them at the Guntersville airport, said Mike stepped out of the plane and announced: “I’m not sure what we’re doing, but I’m in!”
John Chambless is a principal with the Montgomery firm of Chambless King Architects, which worked on designing City Harbor with Patrick.
“He is a visionary and clear-headed,” John says. “We think this is a catalyst project for Guntersville and Marshall County.”
John also calls it a gateway project that will provide a high-quality welcome to travelers crossing the bridge from the north or coming by water – exactly the kind of development that compliments Guntersville.
“And with the high-quality construction and tenants, it just reinforces the enthusiasm and excitement for Guntersville’s present and future. It’s a beautiful, beautiful town with enormous potential,” he adds, comparing it with Baldwin County’s Fairhope on Mobile Bay.
Like the architect, the mayor of that “beautiful, beautiful town” – Guntersville, not Fairhope – believes City Harbor will enhance her city and Marshall County, too.
“It will be good for everybody,” says Mayor Leigh Dollar. “It will give people a further reason to come and enjoy our entire county.”
She is hopeful that the city does future projects with Patrick. While nothing is
Southern Brewers Cooperative Brewpub will be located under the old silos, far left, which, interestingly enough, never held any grain, thanks to a lawsuit some 75 years ago. The observation tower with the stone facade offers great views of the lakes and mountains. Rollup doors are installed for the restaurant to access the deck for outside seating. Decking was being laid Nov. 30, above. It was complete when the boat slip photo, left, was shot Jan. 31. Patrick grabs a call in the midst of it all, bottom center. “This is what I do,” he says of developing. “Everybody thinks I am a big risk-taker. I’m not. Everything I do has a tremendous amount of structure in it. This is 39 years of baby-steps. It didn’t happened overnight.”
settled on that front, in conjunction with his development, Guntersville is extending its 3.66-mile lakeside walking trail to tie in with City Harbor. As it is, the popular trail – open also to bikes and skaters – hugs the western shore of Guntersville peninsula, curving around the northern end of the shoreline and ending at the chamber of commerce building by the approach to Veterans Memorial Bridge.
The city procured three grants totaling about $1.7 million to which it’s adding a $300,000 match to extend the trail .35 miles – with four fishing platforms – under the bridge, then south to City Harbor. Part of the new path has been graded and lights are going in, but the city is rebidding the portion of the trail under the bridge and to the harbor.
Leigh says the city project will provide people-friendly connectivity with City Harbor and further the goal of enhancing Guntersville’s natural beauty. She calls City Harbor amazing and says Patrick has kept his word on what he would do.
“It’s going to be such an economic engine,” Leigh says. “I think it will bring so many people, not just to City Harbor but all of the city.”
Who’s in? Here’s who you’ll find at City Harbor
Rendering from the lakeside of the harbor depicts the observation deck and how it connects to the event center and restaurants.
Six months after Patrick Lawler broke ground for City Harbor in March 2021, a large sticker was slapped across the space-for-lease sign out front. “FULL,” it reads.
Here’s who was eager to be there for you when City Harbor opens …
• Big Mike’s Steak House – Chef Big Mike Cole and his partners say they proudly present the “best-thing-in-theworld” steak-eating experience to folks in small towns without the expense of driving to a big city steakhouse. Along with a full menu, they serve high quality steaks cooked to perfection on a woodfired grill served in a relaxed atmosphere. Guntersville makes their sixth location. • Southern Brewers Cooperative Brewpub – On the heels of opening its first brewpub at Stovehouse in Huntsville, the co-op is a joint collaboration from Straight to Ale (Huntsville) and Good People Brewing Co. (Birmingham) that will also feature beers from Avondale Brewery (Birmingham), Salty Nut Brewery (Huntsville) and Druid City (Tuscaloosa). Located in the base of City Harbor’s signature silos, it will offer 20 unique beers on tap, a menu of bar foods and the opportunity to join the co-op.
• The Cigar Room – A local chain with shops in Madison and Florence, it offers smoking lounges, lockers, humidors, special and limited loose tobacco blends and cigars ranging from Romeo y Julieta and Rocky Patel to Plascenica, Dapper and even Opus X. • Home Re.Decor – A second store for the furnishing and gift shop located on Ala. 160 in Warrior, the husband/ wife owners cater to high- and middleroad customers looking for repurposed, refurbished and revised furniture and décor. They also do interior and wedding design work. • Another Broken Egg – The awardwinning franchise – founded in 1996 and now in 24 states – prides itself on fresh ingredients and a distinctive southern breakfast, brunch and lunch menu, not to mention foodie-approved bloody marys and orange mimosas. • The Wake Eatery – Owned by local Mary Melton, the family-friendly bar/grill offers burgers, hot dogs, wings, chicken salad and such. Mary can seat about 110 folks … but you won’t be eating from the upside-down canoe hung from the ceiling. Hopes to open late March or early April. • La Esquina Cocina (The Kitchen Corner) – This will be the second restaurant for a 30-year family venture with an upscale restaurant in Huntsville. They combine authentic Mexican cuisine with small plates showcasing local farmers from across the Tennessee Valley. “It’s unbelievable,” says City Harbor developer Patrick Lawler. • City Harbor Event Center – Owned by Patrick, the venue is located on the second floor above the restaurants and other businesses, with lots of windows and a large, partially covered deck. It’s equipped with a commercial catering kitchen and will seat 300+ for weddings, parties and business meetings. • Levi’s on the Lake – The bar at the north end of the complex is also owned by Patrick. It will offer live music on the extensive deck. He named it for his 2-year-old grandson.
Patrick also owns a family farm in Grant, a “ranch” in his Texas parlance. After already naming a small fishing lake there Lake Levi, his announcement of the bar’s name brought a warning from his daughter-in-law, Samantha.
“We’re going to have more kids,” she said. “Don’t name everything after him.”
More kids? No problem, Patrick replied. “I’m still going to build more stuff.”
Looking at this architectural rendering, if you think about it, maybe City Harbor does resemble a swing set ... because they’re fun.
Continued from page 69
Many folks from around here love the adventure of boating up the Tennessee River from Guntersville to Chattanooga, docking downtown there, visiting the city, spending the night – spending money.
“Now it will be a two-way street with Chattanooga,” Leigh says. “If you go to Chattanooga, we want Chattanooga to come to us.”
Some might look at City Harbor and envision a steamboat that’s sailed from the past to anchor in Guntersville. Others might think in terms of … well, a swing set.
“I believe Guntersville is a 69,000acre playground without a swing set,” Patrick likes to say, “and I feel like City Harbor is going to be the swing set.”
The Mayor laughs. “I have heard him say that numerous times. I agree. And we are getting very close to having that swing set.”
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