Birmingham Makes an Impact at the NLC City Summit
The Birmingham City Council represented at the 2023 City Summit in Atlanta—talking about economic development, transportation solutions, public safety, leveraging federal infrastructure investments to generate good, local jobs--while also connecting with local leader peers from across the country, policy experts, and industry professionals to gain knowledge and expand opportunities for Birmingham residents.
Birmingham City Council President Darrell O’Quinn and Pro Tem Wardine Alexander have been reappointed to prominent committee positions with the National League of Cities. While serving in these roles, they will continue to help guide policy priorities and legislative efforts in their respective areas of focus.
President O’Quinn was re-elected to serve on the NLC’s Board of Directors, Pro Tem Alexander was re-elected as the NLC’s Regional Director for the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials, and Councilor Crystal Smitherman is continuing in her role serving on the Finance, Administration and Intergovernmental Relations Committee with NLC as well as serving on the Women in Municipal Government Board of Directors..
Councilors Host Multiple Thanksgiving Giveaways
Leading up to Thursday, multiple Council offices hosted holiday giveaways to assist our residents with getting everything they needed to create the perfect holiday meal. This is one of our favorite times of the year, and we loved seeing and speaking with our neighbors all across the city. We hope you had a blessed Thanksgiving
ARPA Funding will Help Provide ADA Access at East Side Park
On Tuesday, the Council unanimously approved an agreement with the Ruffner Mountain Nature Coalition to fund the redevelopment of East Side Park, which directly abuts the massive urban greenspace.
Councilor Hunter Williams allocated $750,000 of his office’s discretionary ARPA funding. This funding will help provide ADA access to the park, with over 10,000 feet of wheel-chair accessible trails that will connect to the nature learning center and sensory trails.
“I’d like to thank the leadership of Ruffner Mountain for doing such an awesome job of being a good steward of the East side of town,” Councilor Williams said. “They are an invaluable asset to this city and I really think it’s a unique thing we have here. This East Side Park has been vacant and dilapidated for years. Now this will be an ADA accessible portion of the nature
preserve so even more people will be able to get out there an enjoy this area.”
More coverage here...