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Birmingham City Councilors gave Mayor Larry Langford a collective nod to move forward on a multi-million dollar plan to overhaul Fair Park, and potentially jump start redevelopment in the oft-neglected west side of town.

Artist rendering of a sports village.

The seven councilors present at Thursday's Committee of the Whole meeting questioned how the city could shift earmarked bond funds to pay for the park concept, when the previous administration told them that wasn't possible. Nevertheless, they unanimously agreed that Langford could hire an architect and begin the process of bringing to life an Olympic-style sports, entertainment, retail and residential complex on the 40-acre site.

Langford could barely contain his joy at the councilor's decision. “For the first time, you have city councilors saying, if you take a little money out of my district for the good of the city, it's okay.”

He assured the councilors that the city could re-direct existing bond funds now sitting in the bank from other district projects to the revamped park. Once that area of town is stabilized, he said, revenues generated by business and other activities at the park can help revitalize other parts of the city.

In addition to bond funds, Langford said the city could also use its community block grant funds to leverage other dollars. And he said private developers could also put their own money into the project. He will offer them 100-year leases for $1 a year as an incentive. He estimated the cost to be between $75 and $90 million.

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