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Birmingham approves 30-year lease with Next to house senior services at 400 E. Lincoln
Summary
The commission voted 4–2 on Feb. 23 to approve a 30‑year lease with Next for the first floor of 400 East Lincoln to provide senior services; supporters said a long term is needed to attract donors and capital investment, while critics sought shorter terms and stricter termination language.
The Birmingham City Commission voted Feb. 23 to approve a long-term lease with Next (a local nonprofit senior-services provider) for space at 400 East Lincoln.
Staff recounted the 2023 decision to acquire the property to give Next a permanent location. Commissioners said the city secured $3.5 million (bond proceeds, including interest) to complete phase 1 improvements and bring Next into a portion of the first floor while preserving options for future phases.
Next’s representatives and longtime residents urged the commission to approve a multi‑decade lease so the nonprofit can justify capital fundraising and invest in improvements. "If you say 10 years, it takes me 3 or 4 years to raise enough money — why would I put a couple million dollars into a building with 5 years left on my lease?" a Next representative said during the meeting.
Some commissioners objected to the 30‑year term and asked for review checkpoints, a clearer termination clause if Next stops its core services to Birmingham seniors, and other safeguards. The city attorney and proponents said the lease contains language allowing termination if the organization ceases the mission or materially changes the services covered by the lease, and that a 30‑year term is customary for mission-oriented tenants because it unlocks donor investment.
On roll call the motion passed: Commissioner Long Yes; Commissioner Hague Yes; Commissioner Kozlowski Yes; Mayor Ballard Yes; Commissioner Cole No; Commissioner Host No (4–2). The resolution directs the mayor and clerk to sign the agreement and begins work on architectural plans, ADA compliance and phase‑1 implementation with a target of Next relocating to the first floor by May 2027.
Commissioners said additional addenda and interlocal agreements related to shared funding and future phases will be returned to the commission for review.
