Tuscaloosa council approves asbestos abatement, engineering contracts, festival agreement and community garden permit

The Tuscaloosa City Council approved six routine public‑works and service agreements and a long‑term festival memorandum of agreement during a regularly scheduled meeting.

The approvals included an asbestos abatement contract for a residential demolition site, two professional engineering services agreements, a water‑tank exterior cleaning contract, a 15‑year memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Kentuck Museum Association to host the Kentuck Festival of the Arts, and a right‑of‑way permit to allow a community garden in Heritage Hills. Council votes on each item were taken by voice and recorded as “all in favor.”

The most immediate safety item was a minor public‑works contract with Tri State Abatement to remove asbestos discovered at a residential property at 61320 Third Avenue East. The council approved the contract in the amount of $4,400; staff said the cost will be covered by operations funding. Selvin (city staff) described the work as “appropriate removal and disposal of that asbestos.”

Councilors approved two professional services agreements for engineering work. Porter Higginbotham Engineering received a…