Birmingham City Council Highlights 12.5.23
ITEM 1
The Council voted to set a public hearing for December 12th to discuss the expansion of the Business Improvement District to encompass Five Points South.
So what does this mean exactly? In 1995 the City of Birmingham adopted an ordinance that created these districts (also known as CAP District, made distinctive by the safety ambassadors that patrol the area currently downtown). This levies property assessments for the businesses within the footprint as a way to provide supplemental services for the area, including safety patrols, sidewalk sweeping, trash removal and more. Those resources are collected and used to fund the services. “Think of it as a Home Owners Association for businesses,” REV CEO David Fleming told the Council.
At least 50 percent of the property owners within the footprint must opt in for this to be possible. Currently, there are over 1,000 Business Improvement Districts across the country that show positive case study results that empower business owners and increase vibrancy in urban areas.
During a recent Committee of the Whole Meeting, Five Points Alliance Chairman Steve Alexander said the move would finally connect the area to the downtown city center in a way that improves safety and quality of life for residents and businesses alike.
“You’ve seen all the buildings going up in Five Points South. There has been a lot of investment in the area that’s giving a base for us to produce the kind of results that CAP has seen downtown,” Alexander said. “I hope you all will support this.”
Councilor Crystal Smitherman, who represents the neighborhood, said this effort has been a long time coming. “We’ve had a lot of meetings with the business owners here in Five Points South and I know there has been a lot of support for this. I think anything we can do to increase public safety and the overall vibrancy in one of the city’s main entertainment destinations is a win-win for everyone,” Smitherman said.
Councilor Valerie Abbott, who represents portions of the new proposed Business Improvement District, said she was in favor of the new designation. “This is important because it will increase public safety and the perception of public safety for people walking around in this area,” Councilor Abbott said. “We’ve had a lot of issues lately with exhibition driving and people experiencing mental health issues walking into businesses. I think having a Business Improvement District will make a huge positive impact.”
The public hearing will take place at the December 12th Birmingham City Council meeting on the second floor of Boutwell Auditorium at 9:30 a.m.
ITEM 4
The Council approved an agreement with Brother Let’s Talk, an organization that specializes in providing access and awareness to mental health services through individual and group counseling throughout the Birmingham area.
The organization will be receiving $200,000 from District 8 Councilor Carol Clarke’s American Rescue Plan Act funding to administer the Birmingham Cares Mental Health Campaign and the Healing through Education, Access, and Love (H.E.A.L) program.
“We want to support any effort to raise awareness about mental health and make it accessible to people in the community who need these resources,” Councilor Clarke said. “This is more about connecting people to the services that are out there and removing barriers for people who don’t have enough resources to seek help.”
ITEM 7
The Council approved another ARPA-funded project, this one from the District 1 office to support Rebirth Community Corporation for several initiatives: Be Litter Free Events, Youth Enrichment Activities, Financial Literacy, and Community Outreach.
Councilor Clinton Woods has partnered with Rebirth Community Corporation over the past several years to help with community outreach events like Operation LawnCARE and neighborhood cleanup efforts.
“With Be Litter Free, we’re able to get out in the district twice a month and cleanup our neighborhoods,” Woods said. “We also are able to take this program to the schools and talk to the kids about how detrimental litter can be and the importance of keeping our streets clean. Another great initiative is Operation LawnCARE, where we are able to provide lawn mowers to single-parent households with teenage boys and girls. Our vision is to equip these young individuals to not only maintain their yards but also take the entrepreneurial leap and establish their own lawn care businesses.”
The agreement is for the term of one-year. Stay tuned for more updates and how to get involved with these community outreach efforts in District 1 and beyond.
We’re still feeling that Holiday Spirit from this weekend’s Tree Lighting in front of City Hall!
HAPPENING TOMORROW: Councilor Clinton Woods joining faculty and community leaders for renaming ceremony of W.J. Christian K-8 School Gymnasium
On Wednesday, December 6th, Councilor Clinton Woods will be joining school leadership and community members for the grand reopening and renaming of the W.J. Christian School’s gymnasium.
In addition to a new floor and other upgrades, the event will celebrate the renaming of the facility to the Coach Alan S. Plump Gymnasium, in honor of the former coach who passed away in 2016 (Plump coached basketball, football and track at W.J Christian and football and swimming at Huffman High School).
“This is a tremendous way for us as a community to celebrate the life and legacy of Coach Plump,” Councilor Clinton Woods said. “Throughout his career, he helped mentor so many of our young people and made such a positive impact on the lives of those around him, myself included.”
When: Wednesday, December 6th at 9 a.m.
Where: W.J. Christian K-8 School (725 Mountain Dr, Birmingham, AL 35206)
What: Gym renaming ceremony
Councilor Clinton Woods will have media availability at the event
