[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6301776,"mediaKeyId","2484443-a09ddbe95f34bd740ebbbfdad45a8ca2","parentId",2484443,"title","Montgomery highlights downtown pop-up program, Selma-to-Montgomery commemoration and a new metaverse project","audioSeconds",346,"startMs",610000,"endMs",956000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2484443-a09ddbe95f34bd740ebbbfdad45a8ca2&start=610&end=956","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2484443-a09ddbe95f34bd740ebbbfdad45a8ca2/thumbnail_610000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6301776/Montgomery-City/Montgomery-County/Alabama/Montgomery-highlights-downtown-pop-up-program-Selma-to-Montgomery-commemoration-and-a-new-metaverse-project","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6301776-ad1268972ec04ae745be5be79e4d1d1d/orig.mp4?Expires=1777334995&Signature=J49qSXKIEJfrJgwCCbUv3Qj2o2LP26uIYcO9ev8nFzPF55SjR7kAuW9xD1aPQk~MZhKJy3v9kvyqd3dLVXDwZAyTwPg26S18oCmcKQqqMFC6ju5YlYRWzT-TUC0yPep-HYpppWSBCsParDus7b2jcO7fTxU9mWTsHbfWrV80Pl1pUVFprvrR9znb7wO2sy0FkeOaTwjWAO9TWuSEL2hj832fYyWmeAKVjL9yhdUUqpN7OT0XS25zqaeOYFitgh9oHp1PfqhkC0PSDasizCipJMWx6B1Rp7Cru9jY-EV7tfyQHoi9ZO~RWW9Z0xOFeY0fsV73SyGU6pLjLf197pGtPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montgomery City, AL","date","2025-03-03T17:40:34Z","article","The mayor promoted several community and cultural initiatives, including Open on Dexter, the Selma-to-Montgomery commemorations and a new digital project the city calls the \"Montgomery metaverse.\"

Open on Dexter: the mayor described this as a downtown pop-up program that repurposes vacant spaces, provides opportunities for local entrepreneurs and artists, and \"is more than just a pop up event. It is a movement.\" He encouraged residents to visit the Lower Dexter Corridor to see local entrepreneurs and artists using revitalized spaces.

Selma-to-Montgomery commemoration: the mayor invited residents to join events marking the anniversary of the Selma-to-Montgomery voting-rights march from March 21 through March 25. He said the anniversary \"is not just about commemorating the past. It's about reflecting on the ongoing struggles with justice, equality, and securing and protecting the right to vote.\" (The mayor used uneven phrasing about anniversary numbering in the transcript; his remarks elsewhere referred to the sixtieth anniversary.)

Montgomery metaverse: the mayor announced a planned immersive digital experience to let users explore the march route and see reconstructions of Montgomery in 1965, accessible from a web browser. He described the project as aimed at virtual field trips, tourism and education; he said attendees of the march \"will be able to get glimpses of what the march in Montgomery looked like in 1965\" and that the initiative could be used for tourism and city planning.

Ending: the mayor invited the public to the March events and to try the metaverse experience, and closed by opening the floor to questions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","MAYOR REED MEDIA BRIEFING (March 3, 2025)","oneSentenceSummary","The mayor promoted Open on Dexter, a downtown activation initiative; invited residents to Selma-to-Montgomery voting-rights march events March 21–25; and announced a digital \"Montgomery metaverse\" to recreate the 1965 march route for remote visitors.","taxTitle","Montgomery City, Montgomery County, Alabama","taxId",3930,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6301781,"Montgomery starts Phase 3 of Columbus Square with 60 affordable units after AHFA tax-credit award",292,437000,729000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2484443-a09ddbe95f34bd740ebbbfdad45a8ca2&start=437&end=729","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2484443-a09ddbe95f34bd740ebbbfdad45a8ca2/thumbnail_437000.jpg","/articles/6301781/Montgomery-City/Montgomery-County/Alabama/Montgomery-starts-Phase-3-of-Columbus-Square-with-60-affordable-units-after-AHFA-tax-credit-award","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6301781-d1ba5e5907e717d32536156627023c72/orig.mp4?Expires=1777334995&Signature=bv6tRIynKJG1R6s4hbX9vLHBjfB7VM2T9yUs5IE~AKqj63Z2nvDpRYEdWH8wxQpQdkl6iOCQdv9izO1wtsFxODNiV55g5L6z1SkjBJk78nw2QFEfAjxY6ME6fTOrg7M-uNhr3nbkKH4XjYi53mAGiD~cZcScC9IXSXWif0KHdP6DuVUbchWnzaraGaryvqPH~imzBBmliGCvrJGSp3ocXDZ8XUNakgirHSzgrZ1nSeKzZx4~o-QixKknTelrFfB-bvjfFp0VnvWL9OP8h-gcIVqnsPNCmbmtnQ0Q7bNEnKjC8ggj7yAwrQA-ZDRVo8NW5NqWJKAIUbNwccddcbarnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City officials and the Montgomery Housing Authority have begun Phase 3 of Columbus Square, a downtown mixed-use redevelopment of a former public-housing site that the mayor said will add 60 affordable housing units.

The mayor said the project is a $20,600,000 development at 500 North Bainbridge Street and described it as \"phase 3\" of Columbus Square. He said the Montgomery Housing Authority studied for and obtained a 9% tax credit from the Alabama Housing Finance Authority to support the project and that it was the only Montgomery project among 16 statewide to receive that funding. Completion is set for early 2026 in the mayor's remarks.

Why it matters: the mayor presented the project as part of a broader push for affordable and workforce housing, and said the city's housing division will work with the housing authority and developers to produce a mix of affordable and market-rate housing across the city.

Details and context: the mayor said previous phases added 96 units. He described the Housing Authority's origins (formed in 1939 under the New Deal) while emphasizing the project's expected contributions to downtown vitality and the city's tax base. No detailed financing breakdown beyond the AHFA 9% tax credit was provided in the remarks.

Ending: the mayor framed the project as the start of broader housing efforts and reiterated the city's commitment to bringing market-rate and workforce housing to multiple neighborhoods.","City and Montgomery Housing Authority are beginning Phase 3 of Columbus Square, a $20.6 million downtown mixed-use project that will add 60 affordable and market-rate units; completion is set for early 2026 and the project secured a 9% tax credit from the Alabama Housing Finance Authority.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6301785,"Montgomery launches $94 million intermodal facility; city touts billions in private investment and jobs",284,172000,456000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2484443-a09ddbe95f34bd740ebbbfdad45a8ca2&start=172&end=456","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2484443-a09ddbe95f34bd740ebbbfdad45a8ca2/thumbnail_172000.jpg","/articles/6301785/Montgomery-City/Montgomery-County/Alabama/Montgomery-launches-94-million-intermodal-facility-city-touts-billions-in-private-investment-and-jobs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6301785-099cafac3971f084f4ef1b7e14709d63/orig.mp4?Expires=1777334995&Signature=UE1YisxHLCCj7-REpTw~McZLPT~vQA81KX1L4Kw1qnE9XbGw07s0gdQl5ByzisYptnwMemFqSHM885Tz2rH43xgRalVap80mQ3tQ~nHyXUvcD6SswWtu3B4pe8rPYu4YWStMYlmaSSFas-6clAOqP5jnTgtxc9A~kktEwb0VZ4gZHa5ShNRPnMecxYjz~qJvB~du6zVXisAiDN6A-jZPoTm2aEXDKSX0w0puuVl3R9r67fVHkZOBBXyj50VA8QKB~VT1dQRPSzjri0U0KwnmQ07ovbBXRA-Lrm5k-09qI3~I~KixSE4k~ZFs0xYjQZcULHJFnayArsK5bNWjdeDpKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Montgomery announced that construction began last week on a $94,000,000 Montgomery Intermodal Container Transfer Facility intended to strengthen supply chains and expand market access via the Port of Mobile.

Mayor, City of Montgomery, said the facility \"boosts infrastructure\" and called it a regional economic milestone. He said seven major companies have committed more than $3,000,000,000 in investments to the city, the project will bring \"over 1,400 plus jobs\" and will create roughly 2,000,000 square feet of industrial space.

Why it matters: the mayor said the transfer facility and recent site certifications position Montgomery as a logistics and industrial hub that can support manufacturers, strengthen supply chains and increase global market access. He cited Montgomery's dual gold-level \"CXS select site\" certifications and a recent Diageo announcement as signs of momentum.

Details and supporting information: the mayor named Diageo's announced $412,000,000 beverage distribution plant as an example of major investment tied to the city's certified sites. He said ongoing investments \"keep Montgomery a hub of economic opportunity\" and pointed to the Port of Mobile as the export gateway supporting those logistics connections. The mayor also mentioned plans to study expanding downtown convention space with a multipurpose arena and that the city has committed to a market study on the viability of a professional soccer team.

No formal city council vote or ordinance was recorded in these remarks; the mayor described construction kickoff, private investment commitments and a pending market study but did not provide financing details for the intermodal facility in the transcript.","City officials marked the start of construction on a $94 million Montgomery Intermodal Container Transfer Facility, and the mayor listed multiple private investments and site certifications that he said will bring industrial space and jobs to the region.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6301787,"Montgomery mayor warns House Bill 14 would undermine local control of police, cites local crime-suppression gains",1,0,1280,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2484443-a09ddbe95f34bd740ebbbfdad45a8ca2&start=0&end=1","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2484443-a09ddbe95f34bd740ebbbfdad45a8ca2/thumbnail_0.jpg","/articles/6301787/Montgomery-City/Montgomery-County/Alabama/Montgomery-mayor-warns-House-Bill-14-would-undermine-local-control-of-police-cites-local-crime-suppression-gains","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6301787-1affc411b5eb923c4b49ec0b2ed301b0/orig.mp4?Expires=1777334995&Signature=oJsHcEOraHYGVi2XhnUXOMLg6JBTgrM1bdTaPEnMglApYpS7bpTaERCv4Oiiw4LRN521ON9CjiPBjwGN5IC1OMa1V5RHa803EFvzXqHBr~bEKjecSaeXgaAF0NZlr0CZJ5Bw2u36rcCjZHPMmILe5L8vt7JhyGur2pnhRV6PdlNUQT4u0jY~xaFRkAqulXVju1MH8EXn9lo2ci1gp-GJ7rgfIkQVZNKGKm3bzYLZ~-t7~SaHcqv8mC8iXdo647tTyaqsUU9RNJ~BNZRbXr3Ne7VSAYTQr0smKlw~BGgo8ibPRC6I5dMN8ceaP9OmCnWI82v0WKGx78nKnVO12P~0tg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor, City of Montgomery, spoke against a state bill he said would allow state officials to assume control of municipal police departments and appoint police chiefs, and he urged lawmakers to work with local leaders instead.

The mayor said House Bill 14 \"would strip mayors and city councils of their authority to oversee their own police departments, allowing state officials to take control without local input.\" He added the bill \"would also give the attorney general or the governor the power to appoint a police chief, opening the door for political interference in local policing decisions.\" The mayor argued that local leaders \"are best positioned to address crime, trends in public safety, as well as allocate resources and build trust with residents.\"

Why it matters: the mayor framed the bill as a potential loss of local control and cautioned that a state-appointed interim chief could \"create operational inefficiencies and accountability issues\" and that a city deemed noncompliant could \"lose state funding, further weakening public services and local governance.\" He called for ongoing collaboration between municipal leaders and the legislature rather than unilateral state action.

Details and local context: in response to a question about the city's suppression unit and recruitment, the mayor described the Montgomery Area Crime Suppression Unit as a locally conceived and operated effort and cited investments in technology and community outreach. He said the city enacted an \"unprecedented 39% increase in salary and benefits that Montgomery Police Officers have received under this administration.\" He also credited equipment spending and partnerships with county, state and federal law-enforcement partners for recent crime trends.

The mayor provided performance figures in his remarks, saying 2024 saw a 19% decline in homicides and about a 17% decline in nonfatal shootings, and that early 2025 trends were continuing in a favorable direction. He described a strategy of \"less talk, more work,\" and emphasized that decisions about policing should remain at the municipal level.

No formal action on state law was taken at the meeting. The remarks and a short question-and-answer exchange with a reporter relayed the mayor's position and local crime and staffing data but did not record any vote or city-level ordinance related to the issue.

Ending: the mayor thanked reporters and closed the session, reiterating support for local collaboration among mayors, police chiefs and sheriffs to determine policing strategies that fit their communities.","The mayor of the City of Montgomery opposed House Bill 14, saying it would allow state officials to take control of municipal police departments; he highlighted local crime-suppression efforts, a 39% pay increase for officers and recent drops in homicides and nonfatal shootings as evidence that local strategies are working.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Montgomery highlights downtown pop-up program, Selma-to-Montgomery commemoration and a new metaverse project

Montgomery starts Phase 3 of Columbus Square with 60 affordable units after AHFA tax-credit award

Montgomery launches $94 million intermodal facility; city touts billions in private investment and jobs

Montgomery mayor warns House Bill 14 would undermine local control of police, cites local crime-suppression gains