[{"_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",6081584,"mediaKeyId","2941819-e40f033f20f91068ac5f5fb185644bfb","parentId",2941819,"title","Rail approvals move MLK Jr./Jack Warren Parkway project forward; bids possible this summer, construction estimated about 30 months","audioSeconds",187,"startMs",836950,"endMs",1024745,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2941819-e40f033f20f91068ac5f5fb185644bfb&start=836&end=1024","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2941819-e40f033f20f91068ac5f5fb185644bfb/thumbnail_836950.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6081584/Tuscaloosa-City/Tuscaloosa-County/Alabama/Rail-approvals-move-MLK-JrJack-Warren-Parkway-project-forward-bids-possible-this-summer-construction-estimated-about-30-months","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6081584-84135aa907a1ce4bccb6726be1595b28/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207360&Signature=T88eFBbanDxwAgSc0TVVZ9cLLKCg4Mzns~KvHxojt7Zt62j02NQz-ZKJGehOrFaFqoycKU31-GwCAF35DYsQkyHecnfJhr7bkGcHIHuD2rnU46ccqxmV9k45VB0cC4N9IZ7V9AVUAZHlTnvh1rimGKotnogY6sP2mBlNiuFAlGHpWDmqJjSXTOlnOhoj3yIu5lEVyOBr26PF76db7vq84zkLi0Y3tY9RtYjRF6LViH7Qu1gaePpboKCsEVSxJxhwM3IS-h6RKgQlxtZ4WdVrQTjHqOTsBr~AdbkRLgHnUVzPDWUXUJGCTzlVboOknHvkB1PMjTajrJH~8zI8HhFuAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Tuscaloosa City, AL","date","2025-04-10T09:05:46.44Z","article","Engineering staff told the committee that both the mainline spur plans and the Goodrich spur‑line plans for the Martin Luther King Jr./Jack Warren Parkway reconstruction have been approved by the railroad, a milestone the presenter said allows the design team to finalize quantities and an updated cost estimate.

Mike, a city staff member, said the railroad approval for the Goodrich Spurline arrived in April. He told the committee the design team expects to deliver an updated cost estimate in about two weeks and that the city will then determine whether to modify its TIGRIG funding arrangement. \"We now have both sets of plan drawings for the railroad reconstruction approved,\" Mike said, adding that the city still must finalize a construction and maintenance agreement with the railroad.

When asked about timing, staff said the city could potentially advertise the project for bids in June or July, but several factors could delay that timeline: a prequalification and vetting process required by the railroad for contractors, likely adding 30 to 45 days to the advertisement period; possible updates to the funding agreement with TIGRIG; and validation proceedings in circuit court tied to the funding arrangement. Staff estimated the construction duration at about 30 months once a contractor is on board.

Committee members emphasized the need to keep the public informed about schedule changes. One committee member proposed a regular status list or monthly updates so the public and committee members would understand causes of any delay; staff agreed to work with the committee on recurring updates.

Next steps the committee recorded were: design team to deliver updated quantities and a cost estimate (about two weeks), staff to negotiate the construction and maintenance agreement with the railroad in coordination with the Office of City Attorney (OCA), and continued work on any TIGRIG funding modifications and validation in circuit court before advertising the project. No formal actions or votes were taken on funding changes at this meeting.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tuscaloosa Projects Committee Meeting - Apr 08, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Engineering staff reported railroad plan approvals for two spur lines and said the design team will update cost estimates in about two weeks; advertising for bids could begin in June or July but outside approvals and funding validation could extend the schedule.","taxTitle","Tuscaloosa City, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama","taxId",4830,"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},6081589,"Committee approves series of contracts, change orders and facility work; totals and funding sources recorded",96,695430,791895,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2941819-e40f033f20f91068ac5f5fb185644bfb&start=695&end=791","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2941819-e40f033f20f91068ac5f5fb185644bfb/thumbnail_695430.jpg","/articles/6081589/Tuscaloosa-City/Tuscaloosa-County/Alabama/Committee-approves-series-of-contracts-change-orders-and-facility-work-totals-and-funding-sources-recorded","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6081589-3e8292be437770e94474c7920a830161/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207360&Signature=Ed~q0YB~~Lg3xagFM4wB5Y87DFMeJj3prTILjq-lYwm6kQIGP-deASBCycxgEAVRKgNBMRqJ5FmBhK-sfpaSfkdi1ye66m-ee4DPQZaPdzpWfbXEAR7A62bU~IpV4E5pi3FUTg1~GtuX0zbpmfO3v8kyYr2P41BQT-OszCeiLzEz23g0WgEovke0gWJMgvk9nbUtHQssCU8TGIgMgn26wEuV0twkco7swS5nI2rcXB8sQ1EoOStEqW7-5v-LBbJYg2km0rkq~CaXdL-m1vY8ri1UyBIkTz77k9qtUafaiLd1vHHjGiC-Yru-UVtAfj-diD2uPgdwdGPZc3iROof~nA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tuscaloosa City Public Works Committee approved a slate of contracts, balancing change orders, and small capital work at its April 15, 2025 meeting. Most items were presented by staff, were approved by voice vote, and were described as either deductive balancing change orders or routine facility contracts.

Kimberly, a city staff member, presented an herbicide contract with Edco for $9,065 to be funded from Fletcher outside services for right‑of‑way treatment near wastewater facilities. She also presented a reimbursable agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) for utility relocation tied to resurfacing State Route 215 (Greensboro Avenue area); Kimberly said the agreement is reimbursable and \"there's no cost to the city.\" The committee approved both items by voice vote.

The committee voted to approve several balancing (deductive) change orders presented as closeout adjustments: Rev Construction (State Route 69 intersection improvements) with a deductive total of $656,643.18, Dominion Construction (McFarland Boulevard access management) with a deductive total of $175,604.64, and Price Civil Services (1‑80 Drive improvement, phase 2) with a deductive total of $385,789.11. For the Rev Construction item staff said the funds would return to undesignated reserves in the water and sewer fund; for Dominion Construction staff said the savings reflected unused grant funds that \"will not be reusable\"; for the Price Civil Services item staff said those funds will return to the general fund contingency.

Other contract approvals and amendments included: an engineering contract amendment with Cassidy Company for $3,227.15 for the 1‑80 Drive phase 2 (presented as an adjustment for increased construction costs since the original 2019 proposal); a professional services contract with TTL for construction materials testing and special inspections for the Police Logistics Building for $9,000 (staff said TTL will begin testing once site work starts and that the contractor NC Morgan has a notice to proceed); a minor public‑works contract with Chip Griffith Construction for first‑floor renovations at municipal court (to add two transaction windows, two offices and improve security; funded from the facility renewal fund); a $4,100 plate/transition installation between Annex 3 and Annex 1 parking lots; motorized gates at the water distribution building from Tusco for $53,572 (water/sewer facility renewal funds); a soft‑wash drone cleaning of an eastern dormer and brick wall for $1,485 (general fund outside services); and replacement letters for the Tuscaloosa Police Department headquarters sign for $1,003.55.

When asked about the ALDOT item, staff said the resurfacing covers State Route 215 from State Route 7/US 11 (Scotland Boulevard) toward Tenth Avenue (presentation maps did not display all street names consistently in the meeting materials). Several committee members asked clarifying questions about specific project limits; staff clarified that the reimbursable agreement is in place so the city can be reimbursed by ALDOT for city‑required utility relocations and that there is no net cost to the city under the terms presented.

All listed items were approved by voice vote during the meeting. The committee's next meeting was announced as April 15 at 2:30 p.m.

","The committee approved multiple minor public‑works contracts, balancing change orders, an ALDOT reimbursable agreement, construction testing services and facility renovations. Most items were routine approvals recorded by voice vote.",{"_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},6081594,"Committee approves zoning text amendments loosening drive‑through rules",57,15935,73295,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2941819-e40f033f20f91068ac5f5fb185644bfb&start=15&end=73","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2941819-e40f033f20f91068ac5f5fb185644bfb/thumbnail_15935.jpg","/articles/6081594/Tuscaloosa-City/Tuscaloosa-County/Alabama/Committee-approves-zoning-text-amendments-loosening-drivethrough-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6081594-90d4f22cff293e3399cb7eaa367f95c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207360&Signature=HbtELMlkJQyEm32UtVS0AYZ1gg-45dM03MvY713yfFZ0qBCctENEeozVZdMhxtXHownlUdrFe2Afce~fpM2bqic-SMK-Ptfrjbm1bnQ7j1iw2YuQR1xcx~nz~uYU0aF0p7izY1de3W5ip3wIok41nQlBpTFSuTMJtE0fG-LXzCno5cvIsTGTApyG9cw5ehsLWR5z--488ooNynKXxghBZQz4~YT232zqsz6WLqXD0ih2RcB75sljJGaFvQDtIJbpFfCCCb4VV3JQztZrsLeQtTcUZoUbH32M1sRik6tb7Twa25wU2URGQ~MSpT1P3uYhVG6mJfd29koxzNc2shQMrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tuscaloosa City Public Works Committee approved zoning text amendments intended to clarify and relax the city's rules for drive‑through restaurants and similar drive‑through facilities at its meeting on April 15, 2025.

Zach, a city staff member, told the committee the documents before members were a refresher and explained the amendments were intended to \"fix some items that were a little bit more restrictive than we intended\" when the zoning code was updated. He offered to answer questions from the committee.

Committee member Sherm said he had asked at the prior meeting that the item be tabled while he gathered additional information; after receiving that information he moved to approve the amendments. The motion was seconded and the body approved the zoning text changes by voice vote. The committee did not adopt any additional conditions or amendments on the record.

The change modifies the municipal zoning text to clarify how drive‑throughs are regulated; the staff presentation described the edits as corrections to unintended restrictions rather than new policy direction. No ordinance number, code section, or effective date was stated during the discussion.

The committee did not open a separate public hearing on the item during this meeting. Staff did not enumerate particular parcels or applicants affected during the discussion; the amendments were presented as general code clarifications.

Next steps noted by staff were routine: incorporate the approved text changes into the city's zoning code and publish the revised text. No additional formal actions or referrals were recorded during the item.

","The committee approved zoning-code changes intended to relax language that had been stricter than intended for drive‑through restaurants and similar uses; the amendments passed by voice vote after brief staff explanation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Rail approvals move MLK Jr./Jack Warren Parkway project forward; bids possible this summer, construction estimated about 30 months

Committee approves series of contracts, change orders and facility work; totals and funding sources recorded

Committee approves zoning text amendments loosening drive‑through rules