By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

Pelham leaders are working to recruit businesses and developers to a proposed shopping area near the former Moore Handley building, and are scheduled to hear a presentation on the matter during an upcoming work session.

During its Aug. 5 pre-meeting work session, the Pelham City Council will hear from representatives from the Retail Strategies company, which was hired by the city to lay out a plan to market the city and attract developers to the proposed development.

If constructed, the development will be a “boulevard-type” shopping area between Pelham City Hall and the former Moore Handley building. The Summer Classics furniture company is preparing to move into the former Moore Handley building, and finalized its deal to purchase the long-vacant property this week.

“They are coming in to present their findings before we start the process,” Council President Rick Hayes said of Retail Strategies.

City officials previously said they would like the development near the new Summer Classics building to include a shopping area and possibly a restaurant. The city will not pay to construct the proposed retail development, but will work with an outside developer on the project.

The Aug. 5 City Council work session is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., and the council’s meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.