Government

JeffCo Considers Forgiving Development Group’s Debt, Moving Coroner’s Office to Park

A resolution moved to the agenda of Thursday’s Jefferson County Commission meeting would forgive more than $1 million owed to the county from Jefferson County Economic and Industrial Development Authority. The county would also execute a purchase agreement with JCEIDA for land in the Lakeshore Jeffmet Park for the new office space of the Jefferson County Coroner/Medical Examiner. The purchase agreement for the land, valued at $700,000, would not be a cash transaction but would help offset the remaining JCEIDA debt being forgiven. County Manager Cal Markert called the authority “one of the most successful economic development groups in the state, if not the most.” Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

A Books-to-Prisons Program Creates Connection Behind Bars

Cornell Nobles has spent the last 13 years in the Alabama prison system. Like many incarcerated individuals, he feels disconnected from the outside world and frustrated by the stigma incarcerated people face. “We just want to be treated equally. We want to be known as people,” he said. “A lot of times we get looked

by Claire Trammell, WBHM Reflect Alabama Fellow

Birmingham Council Extends Timeline to Build on Old Ramsay-McCormack Property

The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday extended an agreement with developers tasked with constructing a five-story commercial building at the former site of Ensley’s Ramsay-McCormack tower, a long-derelict structure that the community lobbied for decades to have destroyed. The council voted unanimously to extend the agreement with Ensley District Developers from Dec. 31 to June 30, 2025. Read more.

by Daniel Gaddy

Woodfin’s Strategic Update Touts Progress in Neighborhood Improvement, Food Deserts, Gun Violence, Parks, Education, Homelessness and the Arts

When Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin gave an update on the city’s initiatives Thursday, he asked the crowd at the Birmingham Museum of Art’s auditorium to view that progress through the eyes of one mother or grandmother and the many tangible ways life has improved for her and her family since he took office.  “Everything we’ve done has been to increase opportunities for our children and grandchildren,” he said. “That really drives what we do at City Hall. That drives this administration. That is the heartbeat of what we do for our children, for our grandchildren.”  Back in 2017, the mayor said, that grandmother would look out her front door and see dilapidated or vacant homes next door, a cracked sidewalk and roads dotted with potholes. Six years ago, that woman’s grandchildren didn’t have a playground nearby, and the family lived miles away from a store selling fresh vegetables. And worst of all, he said, she and her grandchildren would often hear gunshots throughout the night.    “By the end of our first term, here is what we did for that mother; here is what we did for that grandmother,” the mayor said. Read more.

by Daniel Gaddy

Deputy Sheriff Charged in On-Duty Shooting

Thomas Cleveland, a deputy with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, was indicted this week for assault in relation to an on-duty shooting April 20. According to a statement from the Jefferson County district attorney’s office, the State Bureau of Investigation investigated the case and submitted its findings to the DA’s office, which presented the case

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Alabama’s Prison Population Sees Troubling Growth in Latest DOJ Report

For the first time in nearly a decade, U.S. prison populations are trending up. Alabama's numbers are a part of troubling gains across the Gulf South. Read more.

by Kat Stromquist, Gulf States Newsroom

Hendrix Declared House District 55 Winner

Travis Hendrix has been named as the next legislator to represent Alabama House District 55. Hendrix ran for the seat in a special Democratic primary and won the nomination in an October runoff with Sylvia Swayne. Because no Republican ran for the seat, Hendrix would not have had competition in the special general election on Jan. 9, and so he was declared winner. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Never Again: JeffCo Commission Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Bankruptcy Resolution

The longest-sitting members of the Jefferson County Commission on Tuesday recognized the 10-year anniversary of the county being removed from bankruptcy. Commission President Jimmie Stephens and Pro Tempore Joe Knight were reminded of the occasion by text messages from David Carrington, a commissioner with them at the time of the bankruptcy along with Sandra Little Brown and George Bowman. “It was a very traumatic experience that we went through,” Stephens said during Tuesday’s commission committee meeting. He said the anniversary “has a great deal of significance to us.” Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Jefferson County Targets ARPA Funds Against Food Desert

UPDATED — A Jefferson County allocation of ARPA funds could provide healthier grocery options for residents along the U.S. 78 corridor. County commissioners on Thursday approved spending American Rescue Plan Act funds to address food insecurities. The pilot program supports a food pantry to create a low or no-cost grocery store. Federal funds totaling $472,782.96 will enhance a program that’s in place and sponsored by Daniel Payne Legacy Village Foundation. “It's focused on areas where there's no grocery store,” County Manager Cal Markert said. “If you've only got Dollar Generals and gas stations, there aren't as many fresh fruits and vegetables. This will kind of try to supplement that and get packages of more healthy foods for families to have.” Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

City OK’s $5 Million to Help Keep BSC Open

The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday approved $5 million in funding to help keep Birmingham-Southern College operating. The city will provide BSC a $2.5 million loan that will be forgiven provided BSC opens classes in the fall and a 20-year loan for the same amount to be repaid at a 1% interest rate. Read more.

by Virginia Martin