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Mayor: Donated aircraft will become centerpiece of Veterans Park; engineer contract set for $15,500
Summary
Calera's mayor announced a donated airplane from the Southern Museum of Flights will be restored and mounted at Veterans Park; the city plans to sign a $15,500 engineering contract to design a raised display with interpretive QR-code signage and will host an Aug. 8 Nashville Roadshow at the People's Sports Complex.
The mayor announced the Southern Museum of Flights has donated a full airplane to the city to be displayed at Veterans Park, and the city will enter an engineering contract for $15,500 to design a raised exhibit.
The mayor described plans to strip and repaint the aircraft, remove wings and fuel tanks, and mount the fuselage about 10 feet off the ground at an angle "like it's flying," with a QR code on the exhibit to provide historical information. "That plane would be worth $150,000... By the time I get it, that plane [will be worth] $300,000," the mayor said, describing the aircraft's condition and value as he explained the restoration plan.
The council was told the engineering contract to begin design work will be signed the next day. The mayor said the city has engaged with local partners — including a Columbiana High School aviation class that provides hands-on aircraft work and licensing training — and plans a ribbon-cutting on Veterans Day. Officials emphasized safety and placement to discourage vandalism by raising the display off ground level.
The mayor also previewed an Aug. 8 Nashville Roadshow concert at the People’s Sports Complex (gates 5:30 p.m., music 7–10 p.m.) and encouraged ticket sales, saying the event is expected to boost local restaurants and retail. He said staff are recruiting retailers and restaurants for downtown and cited direct outreach to prospective businesses, including a planned delivery of a recruitment letter to Moe's Barbecue.
The item was presented as a mayoral update during the work session; the engineering contract and event ordinance were included on the regular meeting agenda for council action later in the evening.
