[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6652822,"mediaKeyId","2489286-dd01be1a2d1869203886bd2632846a7a","parentId",2489286,"title","Votes at a glance: key council actions on March 4, 2025","audioSeconds",908,"startMs",6259000,"endMs",7167000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2489286-dd01be1a2d1869203886bd2632846a7a&start=6259&end=7167","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2489286-dd01be1a2d1869203886bd2632846a7a/thumbnail_6259000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6652822/Birmingham-City/Jefferson-County/Alabama/Votes-at-a-glance-key-council-actions-on-March-4-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6652822-cd2546f418546dd4aace9b2a9cbb4498/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172449&Signature=X1roKQSck2fJX77exyDlsDzXeQ78VQSSu1IjUB6Zan-tGulE~kJDQcS-RcCXl02FQmL6G-eb-~9TawwU3C-WOAIEfWQH2n8fHubJrh2GuiFEyjgc--cmCnaubdStcFuYHgdXT8dkqaMGu07MDNrUI4GtfUWtYqZ~j770LJ~i7JcX~QDyRmeoDp-lBKmHvQ8pMEkZMbLSbRWk1HfDLLwjOuEt9g2YXDmgx2tmqEFtCcCB-UALHmGuffz4DvAQTpj7i-64uZIkCa2XyynF6uokIpFTqyArRhmBuxOEPGl3DOFHRyID8ImHpD03mop~i8M5qdejhdqYWkTyzCji3uzCUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Birmingham","date","2025-03-04T00:00:00Z","article","At its March 4 meeting the Birmingham City Council took action on a range of operational and public‑safety items. Below are the key outcomes, with brief context and next steps.

• Division 2 dance permit (Item 9): Denied. The council voted to deny an application from AJJW LLC for a Division 2 dance permit for a business at 3912 Richard Avenue North. Zoning staff and the Public Safety Committee reported the permit was not consistent with state spacing requirements and local ordinance; the committee recommended a “no” and the council denied the application.

• Demolition funding for Hills School (Item 12): Approved. The council approved budget transfers totaling approximately $756,143 to the Neighborhood Revitalization Fund for capital projects to demolish Hills School. City staff said the funding source is insurance proceeds related to a fire at the property. Officials said additional demolition needs across city‑owned properties are being evaluated and that the administration will coordinate further efforts.

• Cooperative agreement with 117th Air Refueling Wing (Item 13): Approved. The council authorized the mayor and chief of police to execute a local cooperation agreement with the 117th Air Refueling Wing (Alabama Air National Guard) for crisis management and assistance at National Guard facilities. The agreement runs up to three years and specifies that neither party assumes liability for the other’s property or personnel under the terms presented.

• Amendment to Alabama Power public‑safety services agreement (Item 14): Approved. Council approved an amendment to the city’s master contract with Alabama Power to align the contract with federal grant awards (Office of Justice Programs/Bureau of Justice Assistance) that fund public‑safety video surveillance and the real‑time crime center. Staff said the amendment allows the city to receive reimbursements for cameras and associated services funded by the grant.

• Pavement patching contract (Item 56): Approved. The council accepted a unit‑price bid from Global Construction & Engineering Inc. for pavement patching (bid value approximately $479,698) and authorized execution of the contract. Staff said work will be coordinated between Public Works and BDOT to accelerate pothole and patching response across the city.

Next steps: For all approved items, staff will proceed with contract execution, grants reconciliation and project coordination; in each case the council requested staff updates where appropriate.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Birmingham - Regular City Council Meeting - Mar 04, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Birmingham City Council approved several routine and operational items on March 4, including demolition funding for Hills School, a mutual aid agreement with the Alabama Air National Guard, a grant amendment for public-safety cameras, and a pavement‑patching contract; the council also denied a dance permit application.","taxTitle","Birmingham City, Jefferson County, Alabama","taxId",3652,"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},6652827,"Council approves $6 million in incentives for Ensley redevelopment despite public concern",2208,6388000,8596000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2489286-dd01be1a2d1869203886bd2632846a7a&start=6388&end=8596","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2489286-dd01be1a2d1869203886bd2632846a7a/thumbnail_6388000.jpg","/articles/6652827/Birmingham-City/Jefferson-County/Alabama/Council-approves-6-million-in-incentives-for-Ensley-redevelopment-despite-public-concern","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6652827-677033a29d97f9b085f27c1fa26271c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172449&Signature=Ow9EllyjRCGUi9gZUXl-99sDhjiZTSobJ6ew7fy7LgwQAwBXCLWO7I1ev3rHxtJo3ZMIvw~nweHae1mCKwr-Y1trdOjxamL2KyLYsZYmjBIrQYvNMh4eekYB5xK69kUsZqEK2TfWo~fGoCmdBXkbh7NoAvQPV~b-TaZMWc7Egn9-wyQVLrBTATbjeJllgUwZz-s~bd0Dn6Sx1RvtLvVWq7kU~DlyUv5tOGv-VYuEUoe0CgpB2vaUk6VeZycBXSTWo9F1uRPu5zhrw6xxpHLVwm~CP-ZbyKNfpX7F-GvVVfGkhNYm3f4rg1vHtU6~165hD5zTRXlKIdIcsB1k0107qw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Birmingham City Council on March 4 approved an amended redevelopment agreement with Inslee District Developers LLC to support a proposed five‑story, roughly 30,000-square-foot commercial office building at the former Ransom McCormick property in Ensley. The city’s financial support package totals $6 million in incentives tied to project completion and performance.

Under the agreement presented to council, the city’s $6 million package includes a $2 million initial cash payment, a $3 million loan that will be forgiven if the project is completed, and an option for an additional $1 million loan that would be repaid over 10 years at an interest rate tied to the U.S. Treasury rate. The project’s total development cost is listed in the meeting backup as about $19.9 million.

Council members expressed frustration that the Ransom McCormick property has been a recurring issue for many years. Council members asked whether the developer’s equity stake and financial capacity were sufficient and noted litigation and previous proposals tied to the site. Several members said they wanted the long‑running matter resolved but were uncomfortable with the city shouldering a large portion of the total project cost.

Public commenters urged the council to reconsider or to ensure broader local participation in redevelopment. Anthony Alpte, an Ensley resident, asked the council to “reconsider item 15” and suggested funds could be used to help existing business owners in the area. Local activist speakers raised concerns about past process and the length of time the property has been blighted.

City legal staff advised the council that pending litigation made some aspects of discussion sensitive; the item was taken up after an executive‑session discussion. After discussion a motion to approve the amended and restated redevelopment agreement passed on a recorded voice vote.

What the agreement requires next: City staff will execute the master redevelopment documents and monitor completion milestones tied to loan forgiveness. The city’s payments will be contingent on achievement of project benchmarks set in the agreement. Council members asked for continued updates on project progress and any litigation status affecting implementation.","The council approved a redevelopment agreement offering up to $6 million in incentive support for a five‑story office project in Ensley; the vote drew questions from council members and public speakers about cost, developer capacity and local impacts.",{"_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},6652833,"City Council denies appeal for proposed automated car wash on University Boulevard",2029,3432000,5461000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2489286-dd01be1a2d1869203886bd2632846a7a&start=3432&end=5461","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2489286-dd01be1a2d1869203886bd2632846a7a/thumbnail_3432000.jpg","/articles/6652833/Birmingham-City/Jefferson-County/Alabama/City-Council-denies-appeal-for-proposed-automated-car-wash-on-University-Boulevard","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6652833-4119660775ca652cd0a70c6f4adf6983/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172449&Signature=S4xP9uFypR0twghDI0~-3dFCwED4kNkCMo8tnNmTmJs2SBqkA4J~6-n1AU2nzAZlegARInnIkSJVEWPiMseIIy9GdjSlJH87hTtHYhOwGSW~OuitJjvAUlFT19QZn6d19BVxuCEtJ-ZuuwDkL5NDAzkFRsKHTS5CBz1YQz-vylvcEpQrIGkQuNcd1n2S6PJrgYjcJM6thFRAS3TmXfzSbDQsnQbRDp710W~tqBRoNMu369NO7F--G5AUMT-47axhXJE-8aYW6RUnXVdkqcn9bn0nJrBBJLZ9uwTgBD-InPmMs17v0B5yHcozNYw7VaAeFJFL2ZCeZaRyb817b2FcoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Birmingham City Council denied an appeal on March 4 from LIV Development LLC asking the city to process a building-permit application for an automated car wash at 2310–2316 Eighth Avenue South (University Boulevard). The developer’s attorney argued the application was filed after an earlier moratorium had ended and before a later moratorium was adopted; council members and city traffic staff said safety, congestion and upcoming rezoning made the site unsuitable.

The appeal asked the council to allow the developer’s application to proceed through the normal permitting and review process. Attorney Michael J. Douglas told the council the application was filed on Dec. 18, 2024, after what he said was the expiration of an earlier moratorium and before a subsequent moratorium was put in place. Douglas also cited Alabama Code §11-52-77 and a recent court order by Judge Huie to argue the city failed to give required public notice before adopting the newer moratorium.

City zoning staff told the council the property is currently zoned B-2 (general commercial) but lies within a corridor the city’s framework plan designates as mixed-use high, where automated car washes would not be permitted under the forthcoming rezoning. Kim Spurl, the city’s zoning administrator, said automated car washes are “no longer permitted in our mixed use districts” and described changes being proposed to limit such uses where they adjoin residential districts.

Birmingham Department of Transportation (BDOT) traffic engineer Forrest Johnson urged the council to deny the appeal on safety and traffic-flow grounds. “University Boulevard in this area already sees an average daily traffic volume exceeding 27,000 automobiles,” Johnson said, and added that additional driveway cuts and auto-oriented businesses would “introduce additional conflict points for motorists and pedestrians” and “impact the level of service of one of our most important urban roadways.” He said BDOT attempted to relocate vehicle access to an alley but was constrained by fire-access needs and the applicant’s assertion that frontage access was needed for the business.

Neighborhood representatives and residents who spoke at the public hearing opposed the proposal on similar grounds. Paul Godby, president of the Southside Neighborhood Association, told the council he has observed crashes at nearby intersections and said a car wash at that location would be “too dangerous.”

Council members cited traffic safety, pedestrian concerns, proximity to large medical employers and recent and planned redevelopment along the corridor in explaining their votes. Multiple council members noted an existing Take 5 car wash nearby and said they expect increased pedestrian and transit demand as UAB-related development advances.

After deliberation, a motion to deny the appeal was offered and carried. The council recorded the appeal as denied; the city will not advance the applicant’s building-permit review for the proposed automated car wash at that site.

Votes and next steps: The council voted on the motion to deny the appeal; the motion passed and the appeal was denied. City staff indicated that if the applicant wishes to pursue other sites or reapply under the new zoning rules, it must follow the city’s permitting and zoning procedures.","After public comment and city staff warnings about traffic and future zoning, the Birmingham City Council voted to deny an appeal seeking review of a building permit application for an automated car wash proposed on University Boulevard.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: key council actions on March 4, 2025

Council approves $6 million in incentives for Ensley redevelopment despite public concern

City Council denies appeal for proposed automated car wash on University Boulevard