THE ISSUE

The redevelopment of 1,000 acres of the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Muscle Shoals Reservation moved closer to reality during Thursday’s TVA board meeting.

Nothing happens quickly on land held by the Tennessee Valley Authority, but something finally happened Thursday.

The TVA board agreed to make one-third of its Muscle Shoals Reservation available for auction as part of an economic redevelopment plan.

It has taken years to come to this point and Rob Manning, TVA chief energy delivery officer, said it could be a year before the auction occurs. Then, he added, it could be years more before any construction begins.

While some local officials are growing impatient with the federal utility, the prospect of 1,000 acres in the heart of the Shoals being redeveloped requires due deliberation. The project involves significant ecological, recreational, historical, residential and economic concerns.

With the demise of TVA as a major employer here since its peak of 2,800 workers on the reservation in about 1980, the area needs a great economic replacement that helps rather than harms the community.

Muscle Shoals Mayor David Bradford has shown more public patience with the agency than some local leaders. “This was a huge step in getting the board to say ‘Yes, we agree the property should be surplus and be used for redevelopment,’” he said Thursday night.

Manning said one more public meeting will take place to get community ideas for the property. Then TVA will begin forming a master plan.

So the time is approaching for local residents and elected officials to speak or forever hold their peace.

TVA is right to be deliberate in the process of selling the land. The agency has contributed much to the community through the decades since it was formed. Likewise, the Shoals and its workforce have contributed much to the mission of TVA.

Officials of Tuscumbia, Sheffield, Muscle Shoals, Florence, Colbert and Lauderdale counties, and TVA need to make sure any redevelopment of this public land is conducted in a way that accomplishes the most good for the future of the Shoals.