Council approves $10 million to build Freedom Center, authorizes bond notes and 20-year $1 lease

The Birmingham City Council voted to advance a package of measures to build a proposed Freedom Center near the Civil Rights Institute, approving a $10 million appropriation to support construction, authorization to issue bond anticipation notes and a 20‑year ground lease at an annual rent of $1.

Mayor William A. Bell Sr. told the council the selection of Birmingham as host of the 2021 World Games raised the city's profile and underscored the need for cultural and historical infrastructure. "We've met with the Department of Interior and the governor," the mayor said, describing outreach to federal and state partners to help fund outfitting and operations.

The funding package (items 15, 17 and 18 on the agenda) would fund construction and renovation work for a facility described as a Freedom Center to house archives, public policy programming and the renovation of the A.G. Gaston Motel. Jim Stanley of the law department told the council the historic preservation authority administering the work is an existing entity and may improve grant eligibility and access to tax credits.

Council debate focused on cost and operating plans. Councilor Abbott asked whether the $10 million includes furnishings and equipment; the mayor and staff said the $10 million is for building construction and that funding for operations and outfitting would be sought from federal agencies, private grants and partner organizations. "This $10,000,000 would not go towards the operation," the mayor said; staff said operations would likely rely on outside revenue while some operational personnel might be city employees funded by external grants.

Supporters argued the project could spur economic activity in the surrounding blocks by promoting hotel and complementary development; opponents asked why an existing authority or downtown redevelopment organizations could not perform the function. The law department said the preservation authority has specific advantages for grant and credit eligibility.

The council approved the measures after debate; the clerk recorded the item as passing with one "no" vote noted. The administration said further details on staffing, grant commitments and operational budgets will follow committee review.

The council also discussed, but did not include, park renovations in the Freedom Center package; the mayor said upgrades to Kelly Ingram Park were being pursued separately. The next steps: administrative staff will work with legal counsel and outside partners on grant applications and implementation plans and return to council with details on operations and any additional funding requests.