JEFFERSON COUNTY — The Jefferson County Commission voted Dec. 18 to award $3.5 million from its economic development fund to support Culture City’s planned redevelopment of the Powell Avenue Steam Plant into a National Accessibility Park.

County staff presenting the item described the project as a roughly $60 million redevelopment that would include a National Disability Art Gallery and Museum, an accessibility amphitheater, culinary training spaces and what the presenter described as the first U.S. technical college for people with disabilities. The presenter estimated about 250,000 annual visitors and described recurring local economic impacts and tax revenue benefits.

"This project is estimated to produce about 250,000 projected annual visitors with $45,000,000 in recurring annual local economic impact and, up to $900,000 per year in tax revenue for Jefferson County," the county staff presenter said. The presenter recommended the county provide support "to the tune of $3,500,000 to be paid in 3 installments over the next 3 years." (As stated in the public hearing record.)

The item was considered under Alabama State Amendment 7.72, which the presenter and staff cited as the statutory basis for evaluating whether a public purpose exists for taxpayer expenditures. The commission opened a public hearing for the request; no members of the public spoke and the hearing was closed before the commission voted to approve the funding support.

Dr. Julian Maha, identified in the meeting as a Culture City cofounder, was present and available to answer questions. Commissioners who spoke during the discussion expressed support for the project's focus on disability access and job training and noted anticipated tourism and community benefits.

The vote approving the funding was called during the meeting; the motion carried after the public hearing was closed. The meeting record shows the commission moved the item and a voice vote followed. Specific roll‑call tallies for this item are not recorded in the public hearing transcript text.

Next steps and any formal contract terms — including timing of installments, performance milestones, or reporting requirements tied to the $3.5 million — were not specified in the transcript. The presenter invited follow‑up questions and said more information would be provided on request.