Birmingham City Council Highlights 11.19.24
ITEMS 12 & 13
The Birmingham City Council approved funding for several ARPA projects during today’s meeting. Two of which were for major park improvements in District 7, which was an effort spearheaded by President Pro Tem Wardine Alexander.
Wiggins Park, which is a hub for many activities and youth programing in the area, will receive a $452,798 facelift. This will include infrastructure improvements, lighting, walking paths and much more. Germania Park will receive $234,685 for similar improvements as well. Since taking office, Pro Tem Alexander has been a vocal advocate for improving the quality of life for residents, and today’s move ensures that these parks will be more accommodating for residents looking to gather outdoors.
“These are two older parks that really needed some love and care,” Pro Tem Alexander explained. “Our residents, myself included, have been waiting a long time for some of these upgrades, like additional walking trails and lighting for safety. I’m honored to be able to play a small role in moving this project forward.”
ITEMS 16 & 17
Another ARPA-funded project was approved, which totaled roughly $1.5 million (between two items) for sidewalk and infrastructure improvements for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor that spans several Council districts.
Council President Darrell O’Quinn, who chairs the Transportation Committee, said these improvements will help residents who rely on and utilize the public transportation options in the city.
“We know that a lot of people who ride this BRT route are probably walking to the stops,” President O’Quinn said. “We want to make sure these sidewalks are accommodating and safe for those riders. This is a combined effort to address a need that just about everyone who lives here talks to us about. Sidewalk improvements are a huge issue for our residents and I’m happy that we could utilize these federal dollars to address this need.”
The Council recently approved $3 million for continued BRT services.
Since launching in 2022, the BRT has experienced 207 percent growth in ridership with the goal of maintaining complimentary services for the foreseeable future. The average monthly ridership is currently over 20,000 residents who utilize this service. The BRT lines in Birmingham runs from Woodlawn to Five Points West, with 32 stops along the route which connect to other fixed routes and microtransit hubs.
BJCTA Charlotte Shaw recently said the BJCTA looking to expand the BRT’s footprint in the coming years and they will be launching an app in 2025 that consolidates payments and routes for the various public transit services.
BOARD APPOINTMENTS
The Council confirmed appointments to two boards during Tuesday’s meeting: This includes six appointments to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and three appointments to the Private Education Building Authority Birmingham Southern College.
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute Board of Directors confirmations:
Ryan K. Faught Replacing Natalie Kelly September 1, 2025
Dr. Melvin L. Love Replacing Arian Simone September 1, 2027
Alesia M. Jones Replacing Mashonda Taylor September 1, 2027
Zhaundra Jones Replacing David Thomas September 1, 2027
Maria Underwood Newly Appointed September 1, 2027
Dr. Monique G. Witherspoon Replacing Nick Willis September 1, 2027
Private Education Building Authority Birmingham Southern College confirmations:
Brandon M. Cleveland Jackie Russell November 12, 2025
Sonja Q. Smith Thomas Rice Crosby November 10, 2027
Camille Spratling Kimberly Leslie Patton November 8, 2029
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NLC Roundup
It’s that time of the year again to remind everyone that Birmingham is kind of a big deal at the National League of Cities.
This year, the National League of Cities is celebrating 100 years of working/advocating/legislating on behalf of our cities.
This organization started in a small classroom in Kansas with a handful of delegates. A century later, over 4,000 elected leaders from 49 states and Puerto Rico convene to share ideas, best practices and develop new strategies for moving America’s cities forward.
Now, more than ever, strong local leadership is crucial for supporting and protecting our communities.
“It’s a privilege to be able to share this space with so many people who’ve dedicated their lives to public service,” Council President Pro Tem Wardine Alexander said during the Large Cities Council meeting at NLC. “Birmingham is a city that’s had to reinvent itself many times over the years. And right now, we’ve focused our efforts on really establishing ourselves as a medical research and logistics hub for the Southeast. Being able to share ideas with city officials from all over the country who are also working in this space is invaluable for our success in getting Birmingham where we know it can be.”
During last week’s City Summit Conference in Tampa, Florida, Pro Tem Alexander was reappointed as the Area 15 Regional Director for the National Black Caucus on Local Elected Officials — NLC’s largest constituency group. She also serves as Vice Chair for the Large Cities Council.
Councilor Crystal Smitherman was reappointed to the Women In Municipal Government Board and received the 40 Under 40 Impact Award for her work in combatting food insecurity in District 6.
Council President Darrell O’Quinn currently serves on the NLC Board of Directors, representing Birmingham on a major national platform that’s responsible for helping guide policy priorities and legislative efforts for cities across the United States.
Earlier this year, Councilor LaTonya Tate was elected to NLC’s Public Safety and Crime Prevention Committee and has been providing strategic direction and guidance for NLC’s federal advocacy agenda and policy priorities on public safety.
