Homewood council approves new entertainment complex

Homewood City Council granted final zoning approval to The Woods on Oct. 26, clearing the path for a new entertainment venue on an acre at 504 Scott St. The site sits between Oxmoor Boulevard and Oxmoor Street in West Homewood, a district where residents like Owen Ferguson said options for recreation were historically limited.

The project centers on an 18-hole putting green, but the developers plan to anchor the space with a 2,783-square-foot building. That structure will house a full-service bar and grill, party cabanas, and an outdoor turf field featuring a large-screen television wall for events and viewing parties.

Ferguson, 30, stated the venue intends to operate until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays while adhering to local noise ordinances. The partnership includes Homewood natives Jack Dorough, Tommy Donaldson, and Riley Meeks, along with Lee Pantazis from Vestavia Hills. Dorough, who has worked for Nashville-based Pratt Industries for three and a half years, described the group’s collaboration as a shared dream to build something in the neighborhood where they grew up.

The developers plan to host a variety of non-sporting events, including vendor markets, pop-ups, live music, and comedy shows. Ferguson noted the space is designed for birthday parties, corporate gatherings, and fundraising nights. The team also intends to organize tournaments and leagues for players of all ages.

Parking remains a challenge in the area, a concern Ferguson acknowledged during his outreach to neighbors. The business will provide 22 parking spaces, and the developers cited the nearby public parking lot at the former Waffle House site as a major factor in the project’s feasibility. Ferguson said he expects heavy traffic on the street but views the increased foot traffic as a positive for local commerce.

Ferguson previously worked as a property broker for Amwins, a role he held for seven years before pursuing this venture. He left the company to focus entirely on The Woods, which he is demolishing two existing buildings to build. Ferguson lives on Saulter Road and attended Birmingham-Southern College, where he played basketball for one year. He met his wife, Leah, at the college, and the couple has an infant daughter.

Adjacent to the proposed site are a Public Storage facility, American Flag Co., The Pennington Group, Oxmoor Automotive, and Homewood Animal Hospital. Ferguson said he has been contacting nearby residents and business owners to introduce himself and establish communication channels before construction begins.