SPANISH FORT, Ala.—Spanish Fort Mayor Joe Bonner has learned federal funding expected to help pay for the construction of a Baldwin County Rural Area Transportation System hub will not be pursued by the Baldwin County Commission at this time.

Bonner told members of the community gathered June 29 for an update on design plans for a proposed city complex that he was notified by letter of the commission’s decision.

"They’ve voted not to accept that grant because it had too many rules and regulations on it, and they didn’t want to be strapped to it," he said, indicating work will still proceed on the project.

"I still like the concept because I think, in time, it will prove to be a good investment," Bonner said. The letter he received indicated individual municipalities were still free to petition the commission for project funding; it simply will not be drawn from a larger federal pot, he said.

Originally, Spanish Fort had been in line to receive $200,000 of the funds in question toward construction of a satellite BRATS terminal that will sit adjacent to the proposed city complex still in the design phase.

"We’re not going to not do it because there’s a consensus that it’s an important part of what we’re trying to create here. We’ll just have to take a closer look and find another way to pay for it as part of this bigger plan," he said.

For the complete story on the most up-to-date plans for Spanish Fort's proposed city complex, see the July 1 edition of The Bulletin.