SPANISH FORT, Ala. — A delay in the availability of grant funding will trim about $2 million off the total cost of the first phase of a proposed city complex intended to anchor downtown activity.

If completed, the long-discussed project could include a senior center, library, municipal offices, a BRATS terminal and an outdoor recreation area complete with walking trail and amphitheater among other amenities.

City leaders are currently working to bring the first phase of the project to bid, originally slated to cost about $8 million and include a dual purpose wing that served as both a senior center and a first-responders’ shelter during times of emergency.

The wing could then be converted on an as-needed basis to house law enforcement, fire fighters and their families during catastrophic events like hurricanes.

“The idea was that we’d be able to move some furniture around, put up some bunk beds and have enough showers and bathrooms to be able to house these professionals and their families out of harm’s way. Then, as soon as it was safe to open the doors, we could get those people out into the city to make sure streets are open, downed (power) lines are located and that sort of thing,” Mayor Joe Bonner told the project’s advisory board and residents gathered Wednesday for an update on design plans.

The shelter has been shifted, however, from the first to the second phase because it could take as long as three years to secure the grant funding sought to help foot the bill. The feature will still be pursued, but Bonner said it will most likely be incorporated into the second-phase design of a separate public works building to be located elsewhere on the 18-acre site at the intersection of Spanish Fort Boulevard and Blakeley Way.

Cara Stallman, a Spanish Fort resident and grant writer under contract with the city, said the city’s best shot for securing the needed funds will come through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, or the 15 percent of disaster recovery funds not funneled directly to tornado-stricken areas of northern Alabama.

Of course, distributing the $120 million available to Alabama cities not directly impacted by the deadly April 27 outbreak could take between two and three years, so Bonner said postponing that component makes sound financial sense.

Bonner also announced the Baldwin County Commission has voted not to pursue a federal grant that would have funneled $200,000 toward construction of the satellite BRATS hub adjacent to the proposed multi-purpose building.

“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.

Nearly 20 residents voicing questions, concerns and — ultimately — praise for the proposed city complex crowded the conference room at City Hall, grilling Bonner and members of the advisory committee about everything from the number of entryways and length of the walking trail to the intended use for the current city hall and the size of administrative offices.

“As you can tell, we’re short on space, and we’re growing,” Bonner said, before launching into a step-by-step explanation of the process that has brought the project’s first phase within 60 days of bid if approved by both the City Council and Planning Commission.

Bonner reiterated that the process is only in the beginning stages and can be shelved at any point should it be determined the concept is no longer financially possible.

“We’re going to make a business decision,” he said, reiterating an aversion to saddling future councils and mayors with the consequences of “foolish” financial whims or preventable environmental missteps.

“We have to be more conscious about what we send downhill and into Mobile Bay,” he said.

In its current form, the design includes an 18-foot wide entryway and hallway that will house a historic display. To the left, residents will find a 6,000-square-foot library flanked by the senior center and across the hall from a multipurpose room large enough to accommodate crowds of 300. A back exit also offers access to a picturesque deck setting overlooking a water treatment center encircled by a half-mile walking trail.

The work-in-progress, however, could soon add a bike lane to the walking trail at the suggestion of advisory committee chairman Carl Nelson and a larger mayor’s office at the insistence of resident Ray Moore, who considers the 12-foot by 20-foot workspace much too small to make the lasting impression on visiting industry that a city’s de facto chief executive officer should leave.

In addition, Bonner said the conservative color scheme matches the city’s personality, and the design option incorporating a clock tower consistently elicits approval from residents, including a unanimous showing of hands by those present at Wednesday’s meeting.

“It’s very refreshing to see a lot of caring people,” Bonner said.

As a resident, Stallman asked about potential future uses for City Hall, and Bonner said several options have been discussed including jail services, should the city outgrow its existing agreement with the city of Daphne, or possibly even an animal shelter.

Architect Forrest Daniell said although the floor plan continues to be tweaked, he doesn’t feel like any of the suggested changes have been misguided or rash.

“Honestly, it gets better every time a fresh pair of eyes sees it, and the mayor and committee have been very patient and have resisted rushing things through,” he said. “We’re all very confident that this floor plan is going to meet all the city’s needs, and it’s just been such an enjoyable process.”