Birmingham City Council approves acquisition of some land needed for BRT

The Birmingham City Council, at its regular meeting for Tuesday, April 21, approved three items related to the construction of the city’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project:

• Members authorized Mayor Randall Woodfin to execute an agreement with the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District under which the city will buy part of a parcel at 200 Second Ave. SW for $1,200 as part of the right-of-way acquisition for the BRT. The Council also approved a memorandum of understanding between the city and Hollyhand Development LLC and the HABD under which the parties will agree to coordinate construction of the BRT and development of the Loveman Village project.
• The Council authorized the mayor to accept, by execution of a letter of acceptance, a donation to the city of the property at 4301 First Ave. N. owned by William Ballard as part of the right-of-way acquisition for the BRT.
• The Council also authorized the mayor to accept, by execution of a letter of acceptance, a donation to the city of the property at 4271 First Ave. N. owned by Gip Plott as part of the right-of-way acquisition for the BRT.

Members also approved these items:

• The Council voted 6-0 to approve the sale of a piece of city-owned property to Build Urban Prosperity. The organization will buy a parcel at 527 Fifth St. N. for $4,100 — described in the agenda item as the fair market value — and develop an affordable detached single-family residence.  
• Members also voted 6-0 to approve the sale of a piece of city property to L. Williams & Associates LLC. The company will buy a parcel at 125 Kappa Avenue for $2,700, which is described as the fair market value. 
• Members approved an agreement with Red Mountain Theatre Company under which RMTC will make its facilities available, free to the public, for cultural events and training in an amount not to exceed $50,000 for a term of 6 months.