Finance committee approves multiple contracts, advances downtown safety design amid parking concerns

The Tuscaloosa finance committee on Tuesday approved a slate of contracts and amendments covering streetscape work, resurfacing and several facility maintenance projects, and advanced design work for a downtown safety plan that drew objections from local business owners about lost parking.

The committee voted to approve a change order to add paving and restriping at Buddy Powell Pavilion, a contract with Taylor Electric to install underground raceway for cameras at the Tuscaloosa Tennis Center, an award to GFC Construction for the Greensboro Avenue streetscape and a low bid award to ST Bunn Construction for the citywide 2026 resurfacing program. The panel also approved design agreements for a one‑way conversion and pedestrian‑safety improvements in the 4th Street/23rd Avenue corridor and engineering work to support ALDOT permitting on several roadway projects.

Why it matters: The Greensboro Avenue and 4th/23rd efforts are tied to downtown circulation and pedestrian safety. The one‑way conversion proposal is intended to reduce vehicle‑pedestrian conflicts through angled parking, bollards and widened sidewalks; business owners warned that the changes could worsen parking availability and game‑day traffic if alternative parking or turnover strategies are not put in place.

Most significant approvals: Staff…