[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6274918,"mediaKeyId","2777433-28e0544af326b6e5dcca615181215064","parentId",2777433,"title","City engineer reports progress on MLK Parkway rail-bridge approvals; mainline plans approved, spur expected soon","audioSeconds",526,"startMs",638000,"endMs",1164000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2777433-28e0544af326b6e5dcca615181215064&start=638&end=1164","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2777433-28e0544af326b6e5dcca615181215064/thumbnail_638000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6274918/Tuscaloosa-City/Tuscaloosa-County/Alabama/City-engineer-reports-progress-on-MLK-Parkway-rail-bridge-approvals-mainline-plans-approved-spur-expected-soon","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6274918-edce4b30b5515294c78dd8663effc6c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771214646&Signature=ZCHxkzwp8CtrYB39lIb-69EHgOzI7J36ZkDantC7xetenDYosQvxUO4-ZqgqEVAfLkU0ik1Yh1yEqxHPYJDuwnDBBijlDHZeC3nS0q0TwdEonaOYlGXsLWRPodl4994mAfPmwogEbes1wtB9UPMT6nk9rCxEGiJJurgz0AP5wy3NZ~3KkCXBfluALNALyi1JftH7UTTZyMU3wAjWWKK9ZFwzHWmJ6EahHchXImKqu28KwnXIa1yXf7Ovo8~i2C5-zP4wILo-QWv~cbrRpGF2ddEGOxAOgRWpJhwhXFfLFPvaq2pOxKa4eNoXPzz9JVTqUdboWZYWrCVeGtWa8RxSqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Tuscaloosa City, AL","date","2025-03-26T07:58:26Z","article","Tuscaloosa City Engineer Mike updated the Projects Committee on Oct. 12 about progress and remaining steps in the Martin Luther King/Jack Warner Parkway Phase 3 project, which includes two railroad bridges and related roadway work.

Mike said the project includes two separate railroad bridge components: the mainline crossing (a straight north'south route across the river toward Northport) and the Goodrich Spur, a secondary track that veers west and runs near the Tuscaloosa Country Club. The railroad owner is Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railroad (CPKC), and each bridge requires separate railroad approval.

Mike told the committee that the city received documented approval of the mainline plans on Feb. 10, when the railroad project manager indicated those plans were approved for construction. He said the spur plans that the city submitted are virtually identical to the approved mainline plans and that his expectation is the spur approval should come within weeks; he planned to follow up with the railroad the following week.

The city also must finalize maintenance, underpass and license agreements with the railroad. Mike said the draft agreements have progressed through several iterations and that terms in a substitute agreement proposed by the railroad were acceptable to the city's team in most respects; a few minor terms remained under staff review but were not expected to block progress.

Because the bridge work is specialized, the city will require prequalification of contractors and likely must obtain railroad concurrence on prequalified bidders. Mike estimated the prequalification and bidding process will extend the normal advertisement period by about 60 days; for a project of this magnitude (typically 45 days for advertisement), the result could be roughly 90 to 100 days before bid opening.

Mike also noted financing and legal steps remain: the project is funded through a funding agreement with TICRC, and any additional funding agreement for Phase 3 would need validation in circuit court before the city can access bond-market funding for award. Once the spur and related agreements are approved, the design team will prepare the project for advertisement and prequalification.

On construction impacts, Mike said the work will replace the wooden trestle elements with a clear span (he estimated the clear span could be about 100 feet or more) and steel girders supporting the bridge above the roadway; he added that the main track must remain active during much of the work, making construction a design and sequencing challenge. He said the city will require contractors with the specialized experience to perform such work.

Committee members asked several technical questions about sequencing, traffic geometry under the new bridge and contractor qualification. Mike said the city has discussed contractor prequalification with the railroad and that the team will continue regular follow-up every three to four weeks or as needed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tuscaloosa Projects Committee Meeting - Mar 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Tuscaloosa City Engineer Mike told the Projects Committee on Oct. 12 that Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railroad has approved the mainline bridge plans for the Martin Luther King/Jack Warner Parkway Phase 3 project and that approval for the Goodrich Spur is expected within weeks.","taxTitle","Tuscaloosa City, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama","taxId",4830,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6274922,"Committee tables proposed zoning amendment to limit drive-throughs in University Commercial District",292,305000,597000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2777433-28e0544af326b6e5dcca615181215064&start=305&end=597","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2777433-28e0544af326b6e5dcca615181215064/thumbnail_305000.jpg","/articles/6274922/Tuscaloosa-City/Tuscaloosa-County/Alabama/Committee-tables-proposed-zoning-amendment-to-limit-drive-throughs-in-University-Commercial-District","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6274922-e3819c21e42fd24abb9aafd038cb65e8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771214646&Signature=EYY6~mtKUdPSxAbidIT-DUlAsSstIzPmKW3vkUjLAZLbN-M8npggs8qXsuudbDbz9KU8DRe6YuagYKBcrT6OPQ2AWUaeOiv56BDrwayesoFP~0i-vWoODy~OAQsXBhZTv2FKdTtV2YnOZMrPVyUd-dnjv1OsfJ2ZgQD1wAzlYjMiGqL0A~ByXAsAVY6CXRMP~wXp-tiC8WzSh7TXusovrgMcxC95LV~x80PKZEoMFiiz-2zwmOxPIyN4C~RuXfaExZTKInuLc7L9~acNHW3BW-F1pCxqiaLAYKoQSlo8yd8yOoF5q0V0-7Lc7D-acgwT2szN0ZpKFZy492kUborAiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A proposed amendment to the city's zoning code that would refine restrictions on drive-through restaurants in the University Commercial District was presented to the Tuscaloosa Projects Committee and tabled for further review.

Planning staff said the city's recent zoning code update (implemented Jan. 1) produced more stringent drive-through restrictions than intended in parts of the University Commercial District. The proposed amendments would keep pedestrian-heavy areas such as downtown and the University Strip protected from drive-throughs while allowing drive-through restaurants in portions of the University Commercial District that are more auto-oriented.

Staff walked committee members through a one-page redline map showing specific boundary exceptions where drive-throughs would remain permitted, citing areas near Stillman Boulevard, Fifteenth Street and other auto-oriented corridors. Staff identified several existing fast-food and coffee locations that the amendment would not affect, including McDonald's, Dunkin', Jimmy John's, Taco Bell (adjacent), Jack's, Arby's, Nuke's and Starbucks; staff also noted other nearby businesses such as Druid City Brewing Company. Committee members asked for additional amplification and context before voting.

Councilor Zack (identified in the meeting transcript) moved to table the amendment until the next Projects Committee meeting; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. The transcript does not include a roll-call tally. Staff said printed copies of the proposed amendment and maps are available for members who need them.","A proposed zoning amendment adjusting where drive-through restaurants are allowed in the University Commercial District was introduced and then tabled to the next Projects Committee meeting for more context and amplification.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6274927,"Committee approves hiring title service for University Boulevard East acquisitions",30,257000,287000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2777433-28e0544af326b6e5dcca615181215064&start=257&end=287","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2777433-28e0544af326b6e5dcca615181215064/thumbnail_257000.jpg","/articles/6274927/Tuscaloosa-City/Tuscaloosa-County/Alabama/Committee-approves-hiring-title-service-for-University-Boulevard-East-acquisitions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6274927-843784fd2351f2192b874e8c93ce3628/orig.mp4?Expires=1771214646&Signature=WF-3PV~Uxv7ks1nGFERrtWz5xIHkwv16r9BvTMa2A7SyMd7ZEPj4LNEv4ItiSbD5WGrZA9kzYD-ElnFAMLfQP7QFUalH5WXsjZrPmoQkwtmVxN7A7D55RCTiHpmX8q8hlNngDDf2yULzD7o0hM497xhK4eNKaaxid-ZNCMhbdEy5Ldg0xvgzAt-6uwY27-CHDGMVd7xG9Ktdy6uSIvi2wTrf25jzcoKWRx99V~~WuJcNRGQCpp7A1mH6eLgGYMauXqHjHhx8FhC8RzW4ex0Sb8-yzDWBI9xySIjdV7UpZxKxY~j42rywb860ok3XLxyRPns6uy8nERMAWrzo0gQeJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tuscaloosa Projects Committee on Oct. 12 authorized the city to retain Capital Park to provide professional title services for the University Boulevard East Improvements Project.

City staff member Bobick told the committee that the project anticipates acquiring at least three parcels by total taking and therefore requires title work. The committee approved retaining the specified title firm to perform the title searches and related services needed for acquisition.

No additional funding authority or procurement conditions were discussed during the committee meeting; staff presented the retention as a standard step in right-of-way acquisition and property acquisition for the project.

The committee approved the retention by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting transcript.","The committee approved retaining Capital Park to provide title work for the University Boulevard East Improvements Project; staff said they expect at least three parcels will require total takings.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6274931,"Committee approves abandonment of old utility easement at Skyland Promenade (Walmart expansion)",58,176000,234000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2777433-28e0544af326b6e5dcca615181215064&start=176&end=234","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2777433-28e0544af326b6e5dcca615181215064/thumbnail_176000.jpg","/articles/6274931/Tuscaloosa-City/Tuscaloosa-County/Alabama/Committee-approves-abandonment-of-old-utility-easement-at-Skyland-Promenade-Walmart-expansion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6274931-3a11fdd773e8e98e733257e0d6ca7cda/orig.mp4?Expires=1771214646&Signature=n3-Xxzt-0YwRPJksfqpBNzQ-7NwxJrJ442pygGrOphFkNqBbuW8C1q~xb1x01zVWfzwpD1FbuJ4h29FD~T3xyEaIipek4Wa5HrXGcA9~PhEN0rLLXntHzF2TYmTq2CAwO9OVcAH6JtqDuePsWBZfG4z-emnMdNqp~a-iDmY3zm7QZpC~8S00NBvqselurAYeiBmRG-hd1GaQAaE5htP59N3JPRzHmoYl3J9NrN88~mKcV9k62Tl4oTYC48Ji5ycLbNfP-Cq~XsBsKsmKh~qPvBVNKme9Ubt8Sjb7yWTddj7H5mbR~jGb7g2MQDSkt7wpwvwM3X~Y-VGlW92TNePCxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tuscaloosa Projects Committee on Oct. 12 approved a resolution to abandon certain utility right-of-way easements at Lot 4, Skyland Promenade, where a Walmart expansion now occupies the prior easement area.

City staff explained that Walmart expanded the building into the area of the old easement and relocated the underlying waterline; the company has provided a replacement easement that routes around the new structure. The committee's action authorizes the city to file the necessary documents in probate court to abandon the old easement.

A staff member described the change as a waterline relocation along the side of the building and said the new easement encircles the expanded footprint. Committee members asked clarifying questions about the expansion's location (the home and garden side of the store); staff offered to provide printed plans if members wanted more detail.

The committee approved the easement-abandonment resolution by voice vote; the meeting transcript does not include a recorded roll-call tally.","The committee approved a resolution to abandon a former utility easement at Lot 4, Skyland Promenade, after Walmart expanded and provided a replacement easement and relocated a waterline.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6274936,"Projects committee authorizes Epic Flight Academy to operate at Tuscaloosa National Airport",0,1049000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2777433-28e0544af326b6e5dcca615181215064&start=1049&end=1049","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2777433-28e0544af326b6e5dcca615181215064/thumbnail_1049000.jpg","/articles/6274936/Tuscaloosa-City/Tuscaloosa-County/Alabama/Projects-committee-authorizes-Epic-Flight-Academy-to-operate-at-Tuscaloosa-National-Airport","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6274936-654794216e6cda7b3c40df1781d31096/orig.mp4?Expires=1771214646&Signature=gIhYwKgYjWXE9BpGLPxgfqWkk1KoVyFo6fOhiX6hHircElIC~B8EbTyuB8nYIza5BLWF3UbcPmwc~W0Y8rHfm~niyY1LFPRWtkjGeH59Uq~nYqdSAgJC2EUPR3kUa2ehX5SKAMGWnyEgeK2PwlECKNPIaUVyQ3bv3l89B39~UmcPJP~gnGFBM5w-f74qieeJXpVLrtwHsm9vZJnnbLS0g2h0Dib2dhetREn~8wLDpx4obQBVMXQ0KTb3JfSk-3MZWKENETgNRKgVZJF4SRwTdOaJUckDv5KRI1BXw~kVTPhDNPpqGgs4irCgKFZnyqMORAQD53YasCRMkpiJgTY9XA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tuscaloosa Projects Committee on Oct. 12 authorized a commercial aeronautical agreement allowing Epic Flight Academy to operate at Tuscaloosa National Airport under a sublease with Hawthorne Global.

The action ensures Epic meets the city's standard requirements for on-airport operators and ties the city agreement's term to Epic's sublease with Hawthorne: as long as the sublease remains active, the city agreement remains in force, the committee was told.

Jeff Powell, a city staff member who introduced the item, said the city previously permitted a similar provider, Rev Aviation, whose instructor moved on as his career progressed. Powell said Epic would effectively replace that prior service under Hawthorne's sublease. A representative for Epic, identified in the meeting as Mr. Johnson, said the company is interviewing two instructors for the Tuscaloosa operation and will expand staffing from there as demand requires. Committee members asked about capacity; staff said the city does not limit the number of flight schools but manages a level playing field. The committee noted there will be multiple providers at the airport, including Sanders Aviation and an operator at Bama Dixie.

Committee members approved the authorization by voice vote; a roll-call tally was not recorded in the meeting minutes.

The agreement approved by the committee is year-to-year and conditioned on the sublease that Epic holds with Hawthorne. The committee did not adopt additional conditions during the meeting.

A vote approving the agreement was recorded as carried by voice; no roll-call count was provided in the transcript.","The Tuscaloosa Projects Committee approved a commercial aeronautical agreement allowing Epic Flight Academy to operate at Tuscaloosa National Airport under a sublease with Hawthorne; the city said the agreement term will track the sublease and be renewed year-to-year.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City engineer reports progress on MLK Parkway rail-bridge approvals; mainline plans approved, spur expected soon

Committee tables proposed zoning amendment to limit drive-throughs in University Commercial District

Committee approves hiring title service for University Boulevard East acquisitions

Committee approves abandonment of old utility easement at Skyland Promenade (Walmart expansion)

Projects committee authorizes Epic Flight Academy to operate at Tuscaloosa National Airport