Decatur City Council and Morgan County Commission Support Cook Museum's Expansion and Downtown Hotel Development

Strategic Insights -

The Decatur City Council and Morgan County Commission have moved swiftly to support the Cook Museum of Natural Science's planned expansion and a new downtown hotel development. The museum is set to undergo a $29.5 million expansion, with the state appropriating $9.5 million after designating the Cook Museum as the North Alabama STEM Center in May. A new 130-room hotel, with a $23 million investment, is also planned for the area.

Key Takeaways:

  • The city will build a parking deck at an unknown cost, in addition to giving two parking lots and a portion of Holly Street to the museum, as part of the agreement.
  • The county has committed $500,000 over five years to support the expansion, starting in fiscal 2026.
  • The total investment in the project would be up to $17 million from the city, $20 million from the Cook Museum, $9.5 million from the state, and $23 million from the hotel developer.
  • Councilman Billy Jackson voted against the agreement due to concerns about the unknown cost of the parking deck, despite Mayor Tab Bowling estimating the cost to be around $17 million.
  • Councilman Kyle Pike supported the project, citing its potential to double the size of the museum and bring a new hotel to Decatur.
  • Transparency was questioned by several public speakers, who asked why a called work session and quick vote by the council were necessary.
  • Leaders of the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce, Decatur-Morgan County Tourism, and Decatur Downtown Redevelopment Authority voiced their support for the project.

Statistics:

  • The Cook Museum's expansion is valued at $29.5 million, with $9.5 million coming from the state.
  • The city will commit up to $17 million to the project.
  • The county will commit $500,000 over five years to support the expansion.
  • The proposed hotel will have 130 rooms and a $23 million investment.
  • The museum's current size is 62,000 square feet, with the expansion planned to increase it to 120,000 square feet.
  • The museum will lose 300 parking spaces due to the expansion.

Sources:

  • Bayne Hughes, "Decatur City Council and Morgan County Commission Support Cook Museum's Expansion and Downtown Hotel Development", The Decatur Daily (2025)
  • Tribune Content Agency, LLC
  • The Decatur Daily (Decatur, Ala.)