Funding Plan Announced
Now that the BJCC has officially been chosen as the location for the future Birmingham Dome, Mayor Langford has announced his proposed funding plans.
“The plan presented to the board includes having $22 million from the city and $14 million in taxes and fees from the BJCC to pay for the multi-purpose facility by 2010.Bond payments would be required for about 30 years.
Langford said he is scheduled to discuss the plan with the City Council on Saturday. The City Council could vote on the funding plan in two weeks, he said.
A timeline calls for the design of the facility to begin in January, with the bid process beginning in August 2010, and bonds being issued by the BJCC in November 2010.
The facility, which BJCC officials estimate will cost about $500 million, would be completed by January 2013.”
Hopefully, this ball will continue to roll toward Birmingham growth and development. Whatever you currently think of the dome plan, you have to admit that this part of downtown was in some desperate need of funds to improve the area and make it more attractive to future events. Langford also mentioned that, along with the dome, he had plans for repaving the streets of downtown and implementing his trolley car system.
All things being equal, I would much rather have the dome here in 2013 than the Olympics in 2020.