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Residents and small-business owners press Center Point council on rentals, cleanup and nonprofit support
Summary
At the July 2 meeting residents and local business owners urged the council to address abandoned lots and illegal dumping, and several small-business and nonprofit leaders introduced themselves and sought help obtaining city resources and facilities.
Center Point, Ala. — During an extended public-comment period on July 2, local business owners and residents asked the City Council for help with cleanup and access to city resources.
Alexis Pickkins, owner of My Bump Studio, told the council she signed a lease at a Center Point shopping center (across from Papa John's) and hopes to open the ultrasound business by late July or early August; staff said they had received her grant application and would follow up.
Tam Turner of Girls Like Me, a 501(c)(3), asked how nonprofits can access city resources and facility space to expand programming for girls and teens; councilors advised meeting with the mayor and department staff to explore available buildings on the Parkway and potential grant opportunities.
Resident Destiny Clark described repeated dumping and an abandoned, partially burned structure adjacent to her property, and said earlier attempts to identify the parcel's owner produced conflicting jurisdictional guidance between Center Point and Birmingham. Council members said they would verify parcel ownership, coordinate cleanup of the portion the city controls, and explore no-dumping signs and cameras for recurring hotspots.
Charlie Grayson (TKO Boxing) said his group is interested in acquiring the apartment property that recently burned to create a regional training facility; staff responded that the property is in receivership and litigation and carries a roughly $500,000 water lien, and they referred him to the receiver's attorney for options.
What happens next: Staff and council members pledged to follow up directly with each speaker: administration to pursue grant and lease follow-up with Pickkins; city staff to verify parcel ownership and arrange cleanup where the city is responsible; and a referral to receiver/attorney for parties interested in acquiring disputed properties.
