The Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Center’s CEO announced that it can no longer sustain the financial burden of maintaining City Walk BHAM, one of Birmingham’s newest attractions. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin is urging the Jefferson County Commission to share the funding responsibilities, but Commission President Jimmie Stephens has stated that such financial support is unfeasible for the county.
City Walk BHAM, which features various recreational amenities, has become a popular destination since its opening. The growing need for funding has prompted discussions among local officials about how to ensure its continued success. According to Stephens, the financial dynamics between Birmingham and Jefferson County complicate the funding situation. “You’re looking at an over $500 million budget with under 200,000 people versus a $266 million budget on 677,000,” he explained, highlighting the disparity in financial resources.
Mayor Woodfin criticized the county’s lack of support, calling it “shameful.” He believes that all stakeholders, including the county, must contribute to the upkeep of City Walk. “You can’t have it both ways,” Woodfin said. “This is not a city park. This is not a city amenity. This is a collective amenity.”
In response to inquiries about the Alabama Department of Transportation’s (ALDOT) role, Stephens pointed out that ALDOT had fulfilled its initial commitment of $4 million when City Walk first opened. The BJCC has emphasized its commitment to developing a sustainable funding model for the attraction. In a statement, Tad Synder, CEO of the BJCC, noted that the center is eager to work with ALDOT and other stakeholders to find a long-term financial solution.
“City Walk BHAM has proven to be a very valuable asset to the greater Birmingham community,” Synder stated. The site has experienced significant growth, with visitation doubling from 273,800 to 562,500 according to the latest REV Birmingham Downtown Economic Vitality Report. This marked increase represents the largest growth of any downtown destination.
The BJCC’s statement stressed the need for a collaborative approach to funding, stating, “While meaningful progress has been made with ALDOT and other stakeholders, additional work is still needed to achieve a long-term financial solution.” The BJCC is committed to playing a significant role in this effort but cannot handle the financial requirements alone.
ALDOT echoed this sentiment, with Jon Paepcke, Communications Coordinator, affirming that the department is in ongoing discussions with the BJCC and other stakeholders to ensure that City Walk BHAM remains a viable community asset.
As discussions continue, the future of City Walk BHAM will depend on the ability of local officials to collaborate and secure necessary funding to maintain this critical community resource.
