BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) -- A proposed five-story office building at the site of the former Ramsay McCormack building is one step closer to reality.
The Birmingham City Council approved up to $6 million to its construction Tuesday. We spoke with business owners in Ensley who say their concerns were not listened to about this development, and they are worried about how much money the city is investing in this project.
The Birmingham City Council approved for the development of the new Ramsey McCormack center, it brings the total investment from the city to $9 million.
The first $4 million went towards demolishing the building in 2021. Ensley business owner Brian Rice strongly opposes the new investment.
“For the last three or four years, we have looked at a gravel lot where the basement was filled in, and there has been no explanation as to why they are not developing this property with the first $4 million,” remarked Rice.
Birmingham City Council President Darrell O’Quinn says the additional funding is necessary for the project.
“This is part of the financial stack that is required to make the development happen. There is some additional funds that the developer will have to come up with to get to the almost $20 million price tag that is going to be required to actually get the project done. The city of Birmingham is just doing its part to as part of making the project happen,” remarked O’Quinn.
The proposed project is a five-story building that will have a police substation in it. Rice says the city never contacted business owners in the area about the development or what it would include.
“I sent an email out on last Thursday, the 27th, requesting the council to take this item off of consent and make it a public hearing item included between 20 to 30, and the owners. And they ignore all of us, and they would not make that item a public hearing. We should've had a chance to speak before they voted on it, but they did not give us owners a chance to speak in advance," said Rice.
When asked if residents and business owners were consulted about the development O’Quinn had this to say.
“I have not personally, but again this item is a matter that has been heavily litigated. There are the judicial system that is intimately involved with what this project looks like so that’s where we are,” commented O’Quinn.
According to the city the developer is expected to begin construction within 120 days.