Deuce
Well-Known Member
Needed boost for dome
Friday, October 22, 2004
It's been a terrific week for supporters of a domed stadium in Birmingham.
Tuesday, Jefferson County Commission President Larry Langford dropped his proposal to build the dome at the site of the old Sears building and threw his full support behind the more sensible site and plan chosen by the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex board. His change of heart keeps safe the county's commitment of $10 million a year toward the dome's financing.
Wednesday, Birmingham Mayor Bernard Kincaid pledged to try to find an additional $5 million on top the $5 million the city already is committed to providing the BJCC. If the City Council agrees with the mayor - and it should - the only piece missing to complete the dome funding pie is a $5-million-a-year pledge from the state.
BJCC officials said Wednesday they will meet soon with Gov. Bob Riley to discuss the governor setting aside the money from the state's economic development fund.
All of that is great news for Birmingham. It puts the dome/multipurpose facility within range. BJCC officials say they could issue bonds by the end of the year to finance the $498 million project.
This is a project Birmingham, Jefferson County and Alabama need. It will create jobs, produce needed tax revenue and help revitalize downtown.
Consider just the economic impact of building the dome and convention and entertainment district. A 2002 study said construction alone will create 4,200 jobs and generate tax revenues of more than $40 million.
After construction, permanent jobs created will range from 2,000 to 4,000, and tax revenues will range from $8 million to $14 million a year.
In an unexpected way, the controversy over the site and size of the multipurpose facility raised by Langford likely helped push the project along by prompting county and city officials to commit to it. With both Langford and Kincaid now at the front pushing the project, progress will come more quickly.
What happens next will depend in great part on the governor and the Birmingham City Council. This should be an easy call for both.
http://www.al.com/search/index.ssf?/base/opinion/109843653976530.xml?birminghamnews?oedit
Friday, October 22, 2004
It's been a terrific week for supporters of a domed stadium in Birmingham.
Tuesday, Jefferson County Commission President Larry Langford dropped his proposal to build the dome at the site of the old Sears building and threw his full support behind the more sensible site and plan chosen by the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex board. His change of heart keeps safe the county's commitment of $10 million a year toward the dome's financing.
Wednesday, Birmingham Mayor Bernard Kincaid pledged to try to find an additional $5 million on top the $5 million the city already is committed to providing the BJCC. If the City Council agrees with the mayor - and it should - the only piece missing to complete the dome funding pie is a $5-million-a-year pledge from the state.
BJCC officials said Wednesday they will meet soon with Gov. Bob Riley to discuss the governor setting aside the money from the state's economic development fund.
All of that is great news for Birmingham. It puts the dome/multipurpose facility within range. BJCC officials say they could issue bonds by the end of the year to finance the $498 million project.
This is a project Birmingham, Jefferson County and Alabama need. It will create jobs, produce needed tax revenue and help revitalize downtown.
Consider just the economic impact of building the dome and convention and entertainment district. A 2002 study said construction alone will create 4,200 jobs and generate tax revenues of more than $40 million.
After construction, permanent jobs created will range from 2,000 to 4,000, and tax revenues will range from $8 million to $14 million a year.
In an unexpected way, the controversy over the site and size of the multipurpose facility raised by Langford likely helped push the project along by prompting county and city officials to commit to it. With both Langford and Kincaid now at the front pushing the project, progress will come more quickly.
What happens next will depend in great part on the governor and the Birmingham City Council. This should be an easy call for both.
http://www.al.com/search/index.ssf?/base/opinion/109843653976530.xml?birminghamnews?oedit