Tough Choices for City Capital Projects
Media Advisory
Contact:
April Odom
Tough Choices for City Capital Projects
$4 Million for public facilities improvements in the City of Birmingham is up for consideration in the phase II bond projects.
Mayor Bell has proposed spending $3 Million on a new Kingston Fire Station #8 in the Kingston neighborhood. The old station was closed as an occupational hazard and the neighborhood has been without a fire station since the closure. The money has been waiting for a Council vote since December.
The other $1 Million in that category would be allocated to the Historic Carver Theater in the Civil Rights District.
“The Fire Station is a critical need for this community. They have waited long enough,” said Mayor Bell.
The City Council Budget and Finance Committee chaired by Councilors Lundy and Austin has recommended that the full $4 Million go to the Carver theater. A needs assessment of the facility has shown a need of $1.2 Million.
“While we support the Carver Theater, the fire station is a public safety issue. Lives are dependent on our firefighters’ response times,” continued the Mayor.
Fire Chief Charles Gordon along with Councilor William Parker will host a town hall meeting on Monday, June 20th at 5:30 p.m. at the Kingston JCCEO, 801 46th Street North for citizens to express their needs.
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