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http://www.alabamanewscenter.com/2016/08...dium-dome/

Quote from Ingram:

Mark Ingram, athletics director at UAB, said he is pleased to see the proposal out in the public.

“We continue to be encouraged by the progress made by the BJCC,” Ingram said. “It’s exciting for all to see their plans, which will be a tremendous benefit to Birmingham, UAB, our athletics department and football program.”

So, what are the obstacles at this point funding-wise? I vaguely know of "an issue" with the sales tax increase. Are there other funding sources like Atlanta's hotel tax for the new Mercedes Dome,

The tax to fund it has been in place for years. B'ham tapped it for things like Regions Park. Currently that money is tied up in a lawsuit by John Rogers, who wants to insure that the area around the BJCC does not get flattened by gentrification. He wants the neighborhoods in the area to benefit as well. Until that suit is resolved the funds are held up.

It'll get done. We just have to let the bureaucracy duke it out first.

(08-19-2016 10:19 AM)UAB Band Dad Wrote:  The tax to fund it has been in place for years. B'ham tapped it for things like Regions Park. Currently that money is tied up in a lawsuit by John Rogers, who wants to insure that the area around the BJCC does not get flattened by gentrification. He wants the neighborhoods in the area to benefit as well. Until that suit is resolved the funds are held up.

It'll get done. We just have to let the bureaucracy duke it out first.

That law suit reminds me of the law suit that held up completion of the Expressway for years in order to protect the residents of the Metropolitan Gardens units that were to be demolished for it. By the time the Expressway was actually renewed - with its jog to the east to avoid those units - they were already gone because of the HOPE 4 project.

The City of B'ham probably still hopes the MPF will be built and does not want any of the needed land taken for this more modest - and more limited use - stadium. John Rogers may just be helping out by buying time the only way he can.