Jefferson County commissioners voted to provide $3.5 million in county support to Culture City for the organization's planned National Accessibility Park at the former Powell Avenue steam plant.

The payment was approved as a milestone-tied package proposed to be disbursed over three years: a $1.5 million payment at the start of construction, a $1.0 million payment at the end of construction and a final $1.0 million payment when the project begins operations. The county motion to approve the support passed by voice vote.

County and project presenters told commissioners the project represents an estimated $60,000,000 private and public investment in downtown Birmingham and includes a technical college for people with disabilities, a National Disability Art Gallery and Museum, an accessibility amphitheater, and retail and culinary training space. "This project would represent a $60,000,000 investment here in Downtown Birmingham," said Speaker 6, the presenter who requested county support. Dr. Julian Maha of Culture City said the organization expects about 250,000 annual visitors and early private commitments of roughly $25,000,000.

Presenters and commissioners framed the project as an economic-development and workforce opportunity. Dr. Maha said the National Accessibility Department would initially employ about 100 people, with the linked technical college producing an additional 250'300 job placements a year in early years. Commissioners also asked about partnerships with local institutions; Dr. Maha said Culture City has had initial conversations with Miles College and expressed interest in working with other HBCUs.

Commissioners and staff emphasized that the county's payments will be tied to construction and operational milestones so county funds can be monitored against program delivery. The presenters noted early commitments from the state of Alabama and the city of Birmingham and highlighted national supporters and donors who have contributed to early fundraising.

Next steps noted by presenters include site activations in the coming months and a projected ground-breaking window between April and July (with a possible shift to July'August) next year. The commission recorded the motion and approved the package; staff will prepare the agreement language that ties each disbursement to the construction and program milestones described at the meeting.