Birmingham City Council approves funds for bus station farmers market
The city will partner with MAX Transit to open a new year-round farmers market in a shed to be constructed at the MAX Birmingham Central Station -- a part of the Birmingham Intermodal Facility on Morris Avenue downtown -- after a vote by the City Council at its regular meeting on Tuesday, May 15.
The purpose, according to Mayor Randall Woodfin, is to increase access to fresh fruit and vegetables for transit riders.
The funding -- a total of $100,000 -- will come from a $50,000 state grant and a $50,000 match from the city.
The council voted to accept grant funds from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, the state agency which runs the Healthy Food Financing Program.
Funds from that ADECA program, which was created by legislation passed in 2015, are used to increase access to fresh produce and other nutritious food in underserved communities.
Representatives from the city's law department and the mayor’s office told council members that the shed housing the market -- to be placed near the area where riders get on and off the buses -- will be aesthetically pleasing and equipped with fans and heaters.
Produce at the stand will be sold at regular market prices.
OTHER BUSINESS
The Council had a relatively light work load, with most of the items dealt with as part of the consent agenda.
The following are some other items passed on consent:
The council approved an agreement with The Dannon Project under which the Birmingham nonprofit will solicit and accept donations on behalf of the city in support of the Neighborhoods USA Conference to be held in Birmingham May 23-26. The city will pay the nonprofit a fee not to exceed 10 percent of the funds collected.
The city will pay the nonprofit Magic City Smooth Jazz $88,000 to present a series of free summer jazz performances at various Birmingham parks and venues. The agreement is for one year.
The council accepted a lump sum bid of about $159,000 from Coston General Contractors in McCalla to make repairs to the Howze-Sanford Recreation Center.
Members accepted a lump sum bid of about $63,000 from Sherrod Construction Company in Vestavia for piping repairs at E. O. Jackson Pool.
The council also accepted a lump sum bid of about $42,000 from Taylor+Miree Construction of Birmingham to do emergency selective demolition at Birmingham Parking Deck #3, located at 401 20th St. N.