Speaking to about 30 state and local lawmakers at the , Hallman said many people fail to realize that sports provides a major economic
boost across the region, as evi­denced by hotels snagging guests this weekend for the races taking place at the Talladega Superspeedway. “Because of the recession, the construction costs of building the facility have fallen from what it would have been two years ago,” he said. “The time is ripe to do this project.” , R-Vestavia Hills, who hosts the monthly sessions for lawmakers, said Birmingham experienced a similar debate in the late 1960s when city leaders proposed build­ing what today is the Birming­ham-Jefferson Convention Com­plex. “People said, ‘Why do we need a replacement for Boutwell Auditorium'” he said. Hallman said Birmingham needs a facility capable of hosting sports, entertainment and trade shows, not another outdoor sta­dium to replace Legion Field, which he said is so deficient that it directly contributed to the city losing the Super 6 Football Cham­pionships to football stadiums at the University of Alabama and at Auburn University. “It would be a best use of the public’s money to build a multi-use facility capable of hosting sports and conventions rather than building them both sepa­rately,” he said. Jonathan Austin said he supports the BJCC expansion, but questions why no other local govern­ments have opted to help pay for it. State Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, said talks are un­der way with other government leaders and that he is confident they and the state will chip in be­fore the facility is built. rwilliamsbhamnews.com
Please, for the love, don’t use PUBLIC money to build this albatross. A facility of this type is NOT a cure all for what is taking place in Birmingham. Until you have a major change in leadership and begin changing infrastructure, nothing will change in luring any sporting events to this area. I am not necessarily against the facility but this is not the time and until other changes are made it will be a wasted effort and money