City Council roundup: Annexation, NUSA conference, 5 Pts West project

Here are a few of the items passed by the Birmingham City Council at its regular meeting for Tuesday, Jan. 28.

• Members passed an ordinance that annexed a tract of land at 8101 Liberty Parkway into the city. Encompass Health Corporation was the petitioner for the annexation. The annexation was recommended by Mayor Randall Woodfin, the council’s Planning and Zoning Committee and the city’s Director of Planning, Engineering and Permits. 
• The council also voted to allow the city to pay the expenses for up to three neighborhood officers from each of the city’s 99 neighborhoods to the annual Neighborhoods USA (NUSA) Conference to be held in Little Rock, Arkansas, May 20–23. The item authorizes the use of Neighborhood Association Funds for this purpose.
• Members approved a Building Opportunities for Lasting Development (BOLD) Program agreement between the city of Birmingham and the 5 Points West/Crossplex Business Alliance. The Alliance will receive $26,500 for a term of one year. The Alliance will join with Main Street Alabama and other groups to create engagement and investment in the community and establish a business office, according to the text of the agenda item. The organization will also help improve business signage and facades, collect business data in the area and develop programs for talent, recruitment and business training.
• The council also voted to set a public hearing for Feb. 25 to discuss the proposed rezoning of some parcels in Norwood as mixed-use to allow for the construction of a new development. The properties in question are located around the former Carraway Hospital Campus bordered by Carraway Boulevard to the east, 25th Street North to the west, 20th Avenue North to the north and 13th Avenue North to the south.