After nearly two hours of debate, the Birmingham City Council approved $48 million to fund Mayor Larry Langford’s plans to redevelop Fair Park, even while those plans are incomplete.
The vote passed over strong objections from two councilors who questioned why the council was funding projects when details have not been finalized or made available to the council.
“At this point, I’m not sure what we’re paying for,” Councilor Valerie Abbott said.
Currently there are differing sets of artistic renderings and the mayor’s office has not said what would happen to the Birmingham International Raceway. Typically the city studies feasibility, finalizes plans and determines costs before allocating money to a project, Abbott said.
Langford told the council that some details of the project are still confidential pending negotiations with potential retail businesses.
Councilor Roderick Royal argued that the mayor’s office was rushing them into a premature decision.
“I don’t’ see why everything’s a rush down there,” Royal said. “Propose it Friday and we’ve got to vote on it Tuesday.”
Mayor Langford told the councilors that if they didn’t pass his park plan today, he wouldn’t bring it back later.
The vote today allocates $48 million toward the project. The mayor’s office has said that the city will put $55 million ultimately toward the park.
The plan will redirect funds currently allocated for a dome stadium. The mayor’s office has said the city can reallocate the money since the domed stadium will not need the funds for at least 18 months.
Royal questioned whether the city was earnest about completing existing projects and whether the city could afford to spend more money. During the first four months of Langford’s term, the city has pledged nearly $1 billion to new projects while the city has an annual budget of $330 million.
“To me it sounds quirky to pledge out three times your annual budget to new projects, and I think it is incumbent on us to look at that,” Royal said.
Councilors Carole Smitherman, Miriam Witherspoon, Joel Montgomery, Carol Duncan and Steven Hoyt voted to fund Langford’s project. Royal voted against it, and Abbott abstained. Councilor William Bell was absent.
Popularity: 26% [?]
April 9th, 2008 at 8:45 am
“Langford told the council that some details of the project are still confidential pending negotiations with potential retail businesses.”
I can’t begin to say how many things are wrong with that sentence. Looks like it’s time for us to all start petitioning for records again.
“During the first four months of Langford’s term, the city has pledged nearly $1 billion to new projects while the city has an annual budget of $330 million.”
Not surprised in the least. If Langford has proven one thing while in office, it is that he can’t do simple math. Royal’s calling it “quirky” could quite possibly be the understatement of the century.
April 9th, 2008 at 9:40 am
Question: Have the residents of Five Points West requested horses and an Olympic pool? I have never heard that request.
April 9th, 2008 at 9:51 am
Excellent question Seattrip!
I think more residents of West End, Five Points West and Ensley would rather go see the old closed putt-putt golf course in Fair Park than go see the horses.
Does Milton McGregor want the equestrian park or something? Maybe John Rogers could get an exemption from the Legislature for betting at the equestrian track and Milton can bring his horses back.
April 9th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
From the article: “Mayor Langford told the councilors that if they didn’t pass his park plan today, he wouldn’t bring it back later.”
That sounds like extortion to me. If Birmingham Mayor Langford (who lives in Firfield) doesn’t bring the proposition up again, who would care?
Once again it definitely looks like Langford has the cart before the horse(s).
April 9th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Wait a minute. Can the I-Hate-Larry Chorus take a deep breath and actually think for a second. It’s really, really easy to attack Langford. He’s crazy. Crazy people are easy to attack. Seriously, I know every loves a conspiracy and likes to think there are all these back room deals being orchestrated by Langford, but I honestly think he’s not so much corrupt as he his just a little loopy. (Sure, there may one day be real evidence that shows he’s corrupt too, but first and foremost he’s a nut.) He’s one of these cats who runs around spouting ideas nonstop. Every now and again he stumbles across a good one, but you have to dig through the crap to find it. Personally, I a dome supporter … but no at the race course. I’m all for better mass transit downtown … but not digging up all the roads to find ancient trolley tracks.
The point being; this is Langford. This is how he operates and this is what we knew was coming if we paid any attention at all to his past governing. And that’s all well and good. It’s not necessarily a bad thing to have an “idea man” in charge, even if he is a little touched. God knows Birmingham has needed a kick in the pants to get things moving for years now. But - and this is a big but - if you put someone like that in charge then YOU MUST have some intelligent people watching over things and saying, when it needs to be said, no, that’s a terrible idea, or no, we’re going to have to have more information before we’ll consider this idea. It’s called “checks and balances” and with Langford in charge it’s more important than ever.
So instead of blustering on about what Langford did this time, shouldn’t we be a little angrier at our City Council for giving him a blank check? Shouldn’t we be yelling, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” at them? One council member voted no on this. ONE! That’s insane. If they really have as little information on the whole deal as we are lead to believe then it’s them I’m angry at. I expect crazy from Langford. But when he steps over the cliffs of insanity and all but one Council member follows him, then I think we are in serious trouble.
And yes, I know Valerie Abbott also didn’t vote YES, but she also didn’t vote no, she merely abstained. The way I see things, that’s a completely gutless move. If she really had a problem or didn’t have enough information, the she should have gone on record with a no vote. Abstaining just means that if this, by some miracle, works out to have been a good idea, she can say that she didn’t vote against it. Cowardly, and no better than all those who voted yes.
April 9th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Dave,
It sounds like extortion because it IS extortion. This gutless city council needs to stop backing down all the time. It makes me wonder if Larry has incriminating pictures of them.
April 10th, 2008 at 6:43 am
Fynster,
You guessed wrong on your assumption that none of those that commented have “ever been to fair park, much less the western side of town.” I’ve worked next to Fair Park for 8 years and frequent the 5 Pts West restaurants during lunch.
I’m not opposed to revitalizing Fair Park. That part is a good idea.
It’s obvious not many details have come forth on this plan, but Larry says vote now or else. LL has stated that drug stores and foot locker would join the new Fair Park. Well, since CVS, Rite Aid and Foot Locker are already in Five Pts West, will they just move across the street. I just hope if they do that their current buildings will not sit vacant.
The new library looks great and they finally tore down the parking deck/eyesore next to it. I’m all for revitalizing the area, but who came up with putting an equestrian park and a swimming pool there? Stan Pate? I just want something there that the residents can benefit from.
April 14th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Agreed Ralph. Abbott could have a complete dissertation on something and would still claim “I don’t have enough information to make a decision”. Perhaps that bun is wrapped too tightly!