Category: City of Birmingham
Birmingham Dismisses Tickets Issued Before 2011
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin has announced pardons for more than 756,000 outstanding traffic and parking violations that were issued before Jan. 1, 2011. Woodfin characterized the initiative, called Stop and Go — an acronym for Suspend Traffic Obligations Permanently & Grant Opportunities — as a “second chance” for residents living under the threat of fines or arrest. Read more.
Birmingham Leaders Say Decision to Ban Russian Athletes From the World Games ‘a Show of Solidarity’
The World Games’ ban was in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last week. Read more.
Birmingham Police Chief Patrick Smith Resigns, Citing Personal Matters
Birmingham Police Chief Patrick Smith resigned Friday, saying he wanted to focus on personal matters.
Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin appointed Capt. Scott Thurmond, a 23-year veteran on the force, to replace Smith on an acting basis, according to a statement issued by the mayor’s office.
In a letter to Woodfin on Friday, Smith resigned effective Feb. 25, but he asked to be put on administrative leave with pay until then to allow him to conclude some personal business and to allow for a smooth transition to new leadership. Read more.
How many people died in homicides in Birmingham in 2021? It’s not clear.
Tracking Birmingham’s homicides for 2021 should have been straightforward. Here’s why it wasn’t. Read more.
Guaranteed Income Is Coming to the Gulf South. Take a Look at 3 Programs Launching Soon, Including in Birmingham
Guaranteed income programs are coming to three cities in the Gulf South including Birmingham, which is set to launch soon. Read more.
BJCC Will Open as Warming Station Thursday and Friday
The Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex will open to the public as a warming station Thursday and Friday, when the temperatures are forecast to fall into the 20s, the city of Birmingham announced Wednesday.
The announcement came after the city faced criticism for not opening Boutwell Auditorium earlier this week as snow fell and temperatures dipped below freezing. Mayor Randall Woodfin in a statement said Boutwell Auditorium was “unavailable,” although the city has not revealed why. Read more.
Three Birmingham Families on What the Magic City Means to Them as the City Turns 150
Birmingham marked its 150th anniversary Sunday. The city officially began on Dec. 19, 1871, when the state legislature incorporated the city. Birmingham saw rapid growth, fueled by mining and steel production, earning it the nickname the Magic City. The city later became a focal point of the civil rights movement.
But tens of thousands of people also called Birmingham home. Three families shared their stories of what the Magic City means to them. Read more.
Birmingham to Spend $2 Million to Recruit Grocery Stores to Underserved Areas
The office of Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin has announced a $2 million grocery store recruitment plan focusing on West Birmingham and other underserved communities. The plan will be funded out of $12.9 million recently recovered from the refinancing of the city’s Commercial Development Authority bond debt. According to a press release, the money will be used “to lure at least two” grocery store chains to the city. Read more.
Birmingham Mayor Woodfin Sworn in for a Second Term
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin began his second term in office Tuesday, continuing his tenure as the city’s 30th mayor. The inauguration took place at Linn Park on a stage in front of city hall with the American flag and the mayor’s image as backdrop.
Jefferson County Judge Ruby Davis swore in Woodfin, who was accompanied by his mother, Cynthia Woodfin-Kellum. In a 20-minute speech, he spoke about his administration’s accomplishments over the past four years, such as investing in infrastructure and creating the Birmingham Promise college scholarship and apprenticeship program. He talked about continuing to reimagine public safety in the next four years, wanting to create opportunities for citizens to live their best lives and make Birmingham the best city it can be. Read more.
Goodbye to Ensley High; Demolition Making Way for New Housing
Demolition has begun on the old Ensley High School and should be complete in about four months.
Redevelopment of the derelict property is aimed at making way for a 244-home mixed-used neighborhood at 2301 Avenue J for people earning between $16,000 and $45,000 annually.
“Neighborhood revitalization is our top priority,” Mayor Randall L. Woodfin said in a statement. “For many years, Ensley High School provided the educational foundation for this community. As the next steps are taken, this site will provide a new foundation for vibrant and livable space for our residents.” Read more.
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