BJCC Stadium Far From a Done Deal
Proponents of a stadium at the BJCC in downtown Birmingham got a boost earlier this month when the Jefferson County Commission agreed to set aside $30 million dollars toward the facility. While it may be a significant step, a stadium is far from a done deal.
The BJCC’s master plan includes a proposal for a $174 million open-air stadium. It would seat 45,000 people and include meeting and exhibition space. But who foots the bill is a key sticking point. The Birmingham City Council, for one, isn’t ready to commit, according Councilman Darrel O’Quinn. He represents the area where the stadium would be built.
O’Quinn says they’ve had general discussion with the BJCC but not conversations with all the players involved. He says the council has not been been given details to determine if it would be a good use of city money. O’Quinn says the commission’s move appears to be an effort to force the hands of others involved, especially the city’s.
“It seems to me that, and I’ve heard this from other councilors, that the county could do more in terms of their investment,” says O’Quinn. “Maybe not quite ask so much from the City of Birmingham.”
University of Alabama economist Amanda Ross says studies show the economic impact of stadiums is a wash. However, certain businesses might see a boost, such as restaurants near the building. While she says some cities have seen success competing in the municipal arms race of building bigger and better sports facilities, it really comes down to priorities.
“Every local government is going to be limited,” says Ross. “So I think the biggest thing is sitting down and deciding what’s our priority? What do we want to deal with now? What’s our long-term goal? And thinking from a long-term fashion when deciding how to allocate the scarce resources.”
The Jefferson County Commission’s appropriation is contingent on construction starting this year. O’Quinn calls that ambitious.
For more discussion about the proposed stadium, listen to the WBHM Politics podcast.
Photo by curtis palmer
‘Highest 2 Lowest’ is a fun ride, even if old-school opulence tempers the bite
Spike Lee's latest collaboration with Denzel Washington — their first in nearly 20 years — reimagines a 1963 story about a wealthy businessman. In this version, Washington plays a music executive and Jeffrey Wright plays his chauffeur.
Trump and Putin meet today in Anchorage. Here’s what to know
President Trump had pledged to use his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin to broker a deal. But he's been vague about potential outcomes from his Friday summit.
As Republicans face voters during tense town halls, it’s about sticking to the script
While just a fraction of Republicans in Congress are holding town halls during the August recess — in-person and virtual — the questions from voters, and answers from lawmakers, strike a similar tune.
In Houston, some worry their problems would be neglected after redistricting
In one neighborhood of the city, Latinos worry about immigration and urban problems but may soon be grouped in with suburban voters.
Judge strikes down Trump administration guidance against DEI programs at schools
A federal judge on Thursday struck down two Trump administration actions aimed at eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion programs at the nation's schools and universities.
Blackwater founder to deploy nearly 200 personnel to Haiti as gang violence soars
The deployment is meant to help the government of Haiti recover vast swaths of territory seized in the past year and now controlled by heavily armed gangs.
