Would it excite you to hear that Birmingham could secure a recreational, public park space in excess of 1,100 acres—an area larger than New York’s Central Park? Could you, your friends and family find a use for more than 18 miles of new biking and hiking trails, a number of multi-purpose athletic fields, a lake and picnic areas, all within 15 minutes of downtown?
Received by the Friends Of Red Mountain newsletter and a call to action:
JeffCo Commission Threatens to Withdraw Funding Promise
Yesterday’s Birmingham News reported that Jefferson County Commission President Bettye Fine Collins has called for a review of all previous commission commitments and is specifically threatening to revoke allocations to Red Mountain Park, Railroad Reservation Park and the Cultural Alliance of Greater Birmingham. Collins, along with newly elected commissioners Jim Carns and Bobby Humphryes—not to be confused former Alabama footballer and Friend of RMP Bobby Humphrey—stated that “capital needs were neglected in favor of parks and non-profit organizations” by the Larry Langford-led commission which they have succeeded.
Regardless of the politics behind this message or the validity of RMP’s signed contract with the commission, we should weigh this news very seriously and use it as a call to action. The commission’s $7.5 million pledge to the park represents the bedrock of our financing and an official “thumbs-up” that has helped open the doors of corporate sponsors and position the project for federal grants. Current fund proposals suggest that the JeffCo money could be matched 3:1 by the end of this process—undercutting any notion that is a burden solely on the commissions’ shoulders.
So, what can we do? The commission needs to hear from its constituents that RMP is vitally important to this county, not just as a public interest project but in real terms. Here are some financial projections from ConsultEcon’s Tom Martin given at the last public forum:
- RMP would bring approximately $29.4 million to the local economy annually
- RMP would generate $1 million in tax revenue for state, county and local entities annually
- RMP would create 452 jobs in the community, park itself and supporting industries
If you have the time, a personal letter or email to the commissioners would be a great way to let them know that RMP would not only provide a wonderful greenspace in the midst of our cities, but would also be a tangible asset and worthwhile investment for the county. You can find contact information here or below:
Jefferson County Commission
Jefferson County Courthouse
716 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd North
Birmingham, AL 35203
- Bettye Fine Collins – President
Commissioner of Finance and General Services
collinsbfine@jccal.org - Jim Carns
Commissioner of Environmental Services
carnsj@jccal.org - Bobby Humphryes
Commissioner of Roads and Transportation
humphryesb@jccal.org - Larry Langford
Commissioner of Health and Human Services
langfordl@jccal.org - Shelia Smoot
Commissioner of Information Technology
smoots@jccal.org
Currently, we don’t know how the commission will formalize this budget review process and if there will be any chance for public participation. That is one question we plan to ask. In the meantime, thanks in advance for any efforts you can muster in this campaign and let’s hope the commission can be swayed to think more sensibly about RMP’s genuine worth to all of us.
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