With a unanimous vote on Jan. 8, the Florence City Council approved a resolution authorizing Mayor Mickey Haddock to negotiate with UNA officials toward the purchase of the Florence Golf and Country Club to house a new center for the university’s integrative health program.

City officials purchased the property and UNA officials have been interested in buying the property for more than a year.

“I was involved in bringing the (Retirement Systems of Alabama) project to the area, and I believe this project will have an economic impact (like the RSA project did),” said Council President Dick Jordan.

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.

“As one of the leading manufacturers and research centers for Chinese herbal medicine in China, Guizhou Shenqi Group desires to establish an international institute for graduate studies in integrative health, innovation management and sustainable development and technology,” Zhang said in a letter to Haddock.

Zhang also said in his letter to Haddock that he plans to have garden areas and apartment-style housing for graduate students on the property.

Jordan said the project would not only enrich the city economically but educationally as well.

The resolution classified the country club property as surplus and will allow the mayor to negotiate terms with the university to complete the sale of the property.

“I appreciate this council’s initiative to move forward with this resolution,” said UNA President Bill Cale.

Cale said he thinks the discussions the university, the city and Zhang will have will create a proposed contract for sale to present to the council.

“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,” Cale said in a release. “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. Cale said the new council and mayor, who just took office, fully supported the university.

The process shouldn’t take more than a month to take place, Cale said.

The property will have classroom space, residence halls, parking and an herb garden for students to use, officials said.

“This strategic partnership between UNA and SEMC will maximize the strength of both parties in developing cutting-edge integrative health programs and services that will be beneficial to all, especially those in the Shoals community,” said Dr. Chunsheng Zhang, UNA vice provost for international affairs, in a release.

If the university receives approval on the sale agreement, the next steps would involve the Florence Planning Commission approving the rezoning of the land, Jordan said.

“(Assistant Director for City Planning Robert Muse) said he would start the process to rezone it immediately,” Jordan said.

Jordan said the recreational areas on the property that includes the golf course and pond areas would have to be rezoned, but the existing structure would be already zoned properly.

“I am honored to be able to vote for one of the most important decisions to be made in this community for several years,” said Councilman Andy Betterton, a former UNA student. “I am so very excited that we are a part of that and the city to be a part of and look forward as a proud alumni to what this will bring to the area.”

Many of the councilmen spoke out in support of the agreement with the university and said it was an investment in education.