City Council approves city's ATRIPS-II application

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The Birmingham City Council — at its regular meeting for Tuesday, Oct. 27 — passed a resolution authorizing Mayor Randall Woodfin to apply for a grant with the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) through the Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program-II.

The ATRIPS-II grant, in the amount of $2 million, would support ALDOT in making improvements to the Red Mountain Expressway, U.S. Highway 280 and U.S. Highway 31 in advance of the 2022 World Games, according to the agenda item. The city's match is $250,000.

The improvements will extend from the Birmingham city limits at the U.S. 280 / U.S. 31 interchange at the southern edge of the city to First Avenue North and will include modifications to on-ramps and off ramps, bridge barrier rails, and median guard rail along the corridor. 

OTHER ITEMS

  • The council passed a resolution authorizing a project agreement between the city and Dan’s Inc., under which the company will redevelop a portion of the Parkway East Shopping Center at 1125 Huffman Road in Roebuck for use as a new grocery store. To be known as The Price Butcher, the market will offer fresh meat and produce along with a selection of healthy foods, according to the agenda item. The city will provide an incentive of up to $1.6 million in support of the project.
  • Members passed a resolution authorizing Woodfin to execute a third amendment to the city's agreement between River North Transit LLC — a subsidiary of Via Transportation Inc. —  to provide micro-transportation services for an additional 8 months ending June 30, 2021. The amount of the agreement is $490,000.
  • The council voted to amend the city’s capital budget for Fiscal Year 2021 and appropriate $120,000 to the Village Creek Linear Park per a donation received from the Jefferson County Community Service Fund.
  • Members voted to apply for, accept and spend a grant from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation for about $33,000 for use by the Birmingham Fire & Rescue Service Department to purchase a Hurst EDraulic Equipment to assist in extracting individuals from newer model vehicles constructed with high-strength steel.