Report: Hammons backs out of Alabama project

Decatur officials in March announced the mixed-use development – which is slated to be anchored by Bass Pro Shops, another Springfield-based company – and its developer, Genesis USA, earlier this month revealed that Hammons would be behind its hotel and convention center.

Reports began surfacing this week, however, that Hammons had changed his mind.

“I continue to be interested in Huntsville, Alabama, but I have not yet satisfied myself with the right spot,” Hammons told the Huntsville paper.

Hammons already owns an Embassy Suites in downtown Huntsville, which is about 20 miles from Decatur. That property opened in October 2006, according to the report.

Bass Pro remains committed to the project, the paper reports, and Sweetwater is still a go, though there could be delays as the developer scrambles to sign another hotel.