UNA goes clubbin’

City Planning Director Melissa Bailey presents the resolution to council members that would rezone the property UNA’s partner Shenqi Medical College is interested in purchasing to build an integrative health center.

The Florence City Council unanimously approved a zoning change Feb. 19 during their regular meeting that will put UNA and its partner college Shenqi Medical College closer to their goal of obtaining the Florence Golf and Country Club.

The council unanimously voted at their Jan. 8 meeting to approve a resolution authorizing Florence Mayor Mickey Haddock to negotiate the purchase of the land for the university’s new integrative health program and residential village.

The vote Feb. 19 allows the university to move forward with the purchase negotiations, officials said.

“The economic implications alone and … some of the social implications on our campus and in our community will be (great),” said Barry Morris, councilman.

The integrative health program was approved by the Alabama Commission for Higher Education in 2012 and will begin this fall.

The agreement to create the program and build the structures was made with Shenqi Ethnic Medical College in China. Chairman of the college Zhang Zhiting has agreed to purchase the land and fund the building of the center.

Zhang placed an offer with the city for $2.1 million with a promise of $50,000 in earnest money to be paid to the city earlier this year.

“Chairman Zhang sees in this venture a world-class learning center that will form the nucleus for adding botanical gardens, a visitor center, clinical outreach and continuing education,” said Bill Cale, UNA president, in a release earlier this year. “The natural beauty of the city of Florence, warmth of the regional community, support of local and state leaders and the commitment of UNA combine to create a foundation from which an exciting future will emerge.”

Approximately one year ago, Cale and other officials withdrew their interest in the property after certain council members voiced their opposition to the sale and partnerships with Chinese companies.