Hoover council approves lease and budget reallocation for Riverwalk building amid public concern

The Hoover City Council approved a lease authorizing the mayor to execute an agreement with the Alabama Department of Revenue and voted to reallocate funds for the department’s build-out at the Riverwalk/3021 Lorna Road building, council members said during the meeting.

The decisions were taken after multiple council members and several residents urged more information about the Riverwalk project, the status of a health-care-provider selection tied to the building and earlier city spending related to 3021 Lorna Road.

Why it matters: Council discussion and public comments showed lingering public concern about the city’s handling of the Riverwalk project and the earlier purchase and renovation spending for the 3021 Lorna Road property. Residents said the city has committed significant funds and legal fees and asked for clearer reporting on occupancy, plans for the Lorna Road building and any potential conflicts.

What the council did: The council passed resolution 8532-25 authorizing the mayor to execute a lease with the Alabama Department of Revenue for space in the Riverwalk building and later approved resolution 8533-25 to amend the fiscal-year budget to reallocate funds for the department’s build-out. The council also passed related budget items funding janitorial services tied to the relocation and other operational…