Commission approves sale of Cooper Green building to UAB after debate over appraisals and demolition costs

The Jefferson County Commission approved the sale of the Cooper Green building to UAB following sustained discussion about appraisal methodology and the cost of demolition.

County staff explained the appraisal sequence called for in the agreement: each side hired an appraiser (county: $11,197,000; UAB: $9,600,000); the parties negotiated to an agreed appraisal of $10.7 million, then subtracted estimated demolition costs. "If you take the agreed upon appraisal value 10.7 ... and you subtract the demolition cost, you come up with, 7,880,000," county staff said. Staff also told commissioners the county's demolition estimate was about $2,880,000 and UAB's was about $2,918,000; asbestos abatement and environmental remediation were cited as major cost drivers.

Several commissioners urged caution and recommended a third appraisal or marketing the property. One commissioner said, "We're giving it to them for 8... it seems like we are always giving them money," expressing concern about perceived preferential treatment of UAB. Staff replied that the sale procedure follows a previously approved contract and that the agreement spells out how the price is determined. After debate, the motion to proceed with the sale was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.