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
Patrons at New Hampshire shooting prevented worse tragedy with selfless acts, AG says
Patrons at a restaurant acted selflessly to stop a gunman who opened fire while a wedding was taking place at a New Hampshire country club, averting a worse tragedy, authorities said Sunday.
Leaders promised to cut climate pollution, then doubled down on fossil fuels
Ten years after countries promised to cut climate pollution in the Paris Agreement, countries plan to produce more than twice the amount of fossil fuels that would be consistent with that deal.
German and Swedish jets intercept Russian military plane over Baltic Sea
This was the latest event after a series of incursions by Russian military aircraft into NATO airspace in September, leading to heightened tensions between NATO and Russia.
A’ja Wilson snags a record fourth WNBA MVP
Wilson, a 6-foot-4 center for the Las Vegas Aces, has dominated this year. In her eighth season, she finished in the top five in points, rebounds, blocks and steals.
No software update needed for this band: Motion City Soundtrack grows into middle age
Ten years after their last new music release, Motion City Soundtrack is still as anxious as ever, but for different reasons.
Earlybirds Club: for ladies who want to get down and also get to bed on time
NPR's Ayesha Rascoe heads to the club — the Earlybirds Club — and dances until the break of 8 p.m.
