[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6474667,"mediaKeyId","5739847-3a0ea9361b1b545b2b6b722229943b6f","parentId",5739847,"title","City Council approves up to $14 million transit agreement with BJCTA after questions on app and service reliability","audioSeconds",1712,"startMs",4395000,"endMs",6107000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5739847-3a0ea9361b1b545b2b6b722229943b6f&start=4395&end=6107","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5739847-3a0ea9361b1b545b2b6b722229943b6f/thumbnail_4395000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6474667/Birmingham-City/Jefferson-County/Alabama/City-Council-approves-up-to-14-million-transit-agreement-with-BJCTA-after-questions-on-app-and-service-reliability","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6474667-8a3a2b10996106ccbc6e71cebd74ed31/orig.mp4?Expires=1770920921&Signature=JLdUtGcdhP6PqEL6~5w41915-3kDRq7L2QHcy0~kyFS7dzOj1BciZbLKQAJyi5GcWWrR8PTP3ILaMV3RKAhzzaHsAiuIssHA2QRR9auCBby93Bzlvw22uGfSYmwua5-02wyOgL~BK3Xp8D7Ofk1kebkdNU8kZHEs0T-mCtcDqvNfr2T0f9QONxCfvU4SPajcv~49uBoUyF6PdttItH8sk-cIZOWKhPcmENRaHU6B9cHBevYB6PbP4I26fB-C5Ug1JPw04mQZO2S0MyvNaXlvFT5UUxN1hkI4vwVQDQI4xAaOOaAss6ZNTxPg6HgCxO1PO55yuGL~gJJT5HHgXC6Wrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Birmingham","date","2025-09-09T00:00:00Z","article","The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute a public transportation services agreement with the Jefferson County Transit Authority (BJCTA) that provides up to $14 million in city funding for transit operations in the city, including $11 million for fixed-route and paratransit services and $3 million for bus rapid transit (BRT) services.

Councilors pressed BJCTA officials for details on service reliability, the timeline for a promised centralized mobile application and whether reallocations of service would amount to cuts in some neighborhoods. Councilor Hunter Williams said the app has been promised for years and pressed for accountability on delivery: “I’ve been hearing about the app for years. So it, by nature, is delayed,” Williams said during the discussion.

BJCTA officials said the agency had added contract language on a mobile app slated for implementation in January 2026 and described current progress on scheduling and testing. A BJCTA representative told the council the system’s historical on-time performance had been about 58% but had improved and was “around 75%” at the time of the meeting. The agency said phase 1 of the mobile application is expected by January 2026 and that it is in a testing and implementation stage.

Councilors also asked what additional funding would be required to reach service goals discussed in BJCTA’s “70/30” plan; BJCTA representatives said an additional $2 million would be needed to reach that enhanced service target. City staff and BJCTA emphasized the present contract does not include that additional funding and that further budget decisions would be made during the city’s regular budget process.

Several council members sought assurances that reallocations would not become unannounced service cuts. BJCTA said it was reallocating service to match workforce demand rather than cutting service, and noted Federal Transit Administration rules require 60 days’ public notice for service changes. The agency also described plans to expand bus shelters and mobility hubs subject to FTA criteria and available capital funds.

Director Shaw of BJCTA described the planned centralized app as replacing multiple single-purpose applications: “All of those apps are gonna go away. The centralized app that we’re working on is gonna be implemented…You’ll have one application that’ll be a lot more user friendly,” Shaw said.

After the discussion the council voted to approve the resolution. The official motion text read: “A resolution approving and authorizing the mayor to execute a public transportation services agreement between the City of Birmingham and Jefferson County Transit Authority under which the BJCTA will provide public transportation services within the city limits,” with compensation not to exceed $14,000,000.

The council debate included questions about micro-transit providers, the BRT route, and whether proposed VIP/market-rate services would be funded from the $14 million. BJCTA and city staff told the council that no local funds in the present agreement would be spent on the VIP pilot; the VIP concept is being developed separately as a business plan and would not draw from the $14 million allocated under the approved resolution.

The approved contract commits the city to the service agreement and specifies deliverables such as the mobile app date; it does not itself appropriate the additional $2 million the agency said it would need to implement the fuller 70/30 service plan.

Council action: resolution approved. Individual roll-call votes were not recorded in the meeting text for this item; the official meeting minutes record the motion and that the item passed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Birmingham - Regular City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute a public transportation services agreement with the Jefferson County Transit Authority (BJCTA) that provides up to $14 million in city funding for transit operations.","taxTitle","Birmingham City, Jefferson County, Alabama","taxId",3652,"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},6474654,"Votes at a glance: Council approves minutes, consent agenda, property sale and other routine items",19,2636000,2655000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5739847-3a0ea9361b1b545b2b6b722229943b6f&start=2636&end=2655","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5739847-3a0ea9361b1b545b2b6b722229943b6f/thumbnail_2636000.jpg","/articles/6474654/Birmingham-City/Jefferson-County/Alabama/Votes-at-a-glance-Council-approves-minutes-consent-agenda-property-sale-and-other-routine-items","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6474654-3363865a85fb949d16a68af81e349c06/orig.mp4?Expires=1770920921&Signature=T~MUWx3apIRJSJ1EZfrLdxfglKXRztJ06HWG3VzGomUt9IcLcs5Wvf55T0dEeJoOHDiLvXcAmYNNSLChhbN4oXU75OqycB4OA39XXrpien9YK22F3OFgodFvetWmdxgf1pol~Cgt~w2DjGHZ-WXZPTwr9~rusjCAw35mlXfrk9Txt-Tm0dY976ZoTSIUmPiNA4BQ7qRsF4THsU67IoDPXv3zPyluErEl54m3ZzOtbUg-FhF281EOGfMChSXx~xEH8C2gbCK6xMmMVZCz2HN0YRelkbI0TkrKa5ch1vE8GQzMYsppaTcct7LF8Y2U7Y8~k6XyufwWsjBJOK~fwyDW5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Birmingham City Council recorded several routine approvals during its Sept. 9 meeting.

- Minutes: The council approved minutes for the April 1 and April 8, 2025 meetings after a roll-call-style prompt; no individual vote names were recorded in the transcript for the minutes approval. The council noted minutes for April 15 through Sept. 2, 2025 were not ready.

- Consent agenda: The council approved the consent agenda (items 2–50 as listed on the agenda) after a motion and second; the transcript records the motion, second and a voice vote of 'aye' and the item was approved. Specific item details were read by staff; no individual roll-call votes were recorded in the transcript for the full consent agenda.

- Item 6 (property quick-claim deed): The council approved an ordinance authorizing the mayor to execute a quitclaim deed, upon receipt of $10,533.74, for Lots 25 and 26 in Block 125 of Eastlake (8005 Third Avenue South). The motion was moved and seconded; the vote was recorded on the transcript with individual councilors saying “Aye.” The transcript lists the following members as having responded in the affirmative during the vote: Council member Abbott; Council member Clark; Council member Moore; Council member Smitherman; Council member Tate; Council member Williams; Council member Woods; President Pro Tem Alexander; Council President O’Quinn. The motion passed.

Other routine business and announcements followed, including scheduling notices for neighborhood meetings, committee meetings and community events.

Action details and outcomes are summarized below.","At its Sept. 9 meeting the Birmingham City Council approved earlier meeting minutes, the consent agenda, a quick-claim deed sale of city-acquired property and other routine measures. Votes listed below reflect actions recorded in the meeting transcript.",{"_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},6474659,"Council approves 24-month deferral of Pizitz loan payments to aid food-hall retenanting",733,6094000,6827000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5739847-3a0ea9361b1b545b2b6b722229943b6f&start=6094&end=6827","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5739847-3a0ea9361b1b545b2b6b722229943b6f/thumbnail_6094000.jpg","/articles/6474659/Birmingham-City/Jefferson-County/Alabama/Council-approves-24-month-deferral-of-Pizitz-loan-payments-to-aid-food-hall-retenanting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6474659-83428f243f3f59497daca5dd3e06ac65/orig.mp4?Expires=1770920921&Signature=EM0OdzMEihdnY4a1H88XoqGAEqR3LhOmPPK3KDPkqoeaqoTC0P~Vo3fK1Fv-i~0KOtcwaQLAmbxy9SE~yWTaSt9EcQ~KOB~dSE6rMQgoZbl2JWh7fcDKd~WI6aku~5aIow68Mw6z2eCfOFKWxwi7koD0vgKbmEwfvqRjt9o95Yqh4hnQ-r-I2yM~~pRPc1iIx18hqc2FsOfWlxyPJGcjVFyKDlgX~5Z4-8LvMTscz0g1cjEqpF5cGwlDFnHYpZGUlMTA6YgmS9cBwWt4MFOR~3hRtqpYr~BECG-5b~1OV9dx5ObZWZ9thGYv~ZFx1dQ0u18HUBetD8~9UnRkDxaEvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday approved a resolution consenting to a 24-month deferral of loan payments owed by Pizitz, LLC to the City of Birmingham Downtown Redevelopment Authority for approximately $3.2 million in HUD 108 financing originally made in 2015.

Developer David Silverstein told the council the deferral is intended to give the Pizitz food hall breathing room to rebrand, attract new tenants and carry out improvements after the COVID downturn reduced foot traffic. “We need to rebrand and remarket the food hall component…we did not receive any PPP money. We haven’t asked the city for funding,” Silverstein said.

City staff clarified the action does not obligate new city dollars. “There’s no new money that is obligated to this project. We’re just extending the terms of the loan agreement,” a staff member said.

Council members asked about the reason for the deferral and the loan’s annual debt service. A developer or staff response to council questions put the approximate annual debt service on the note at about $200,000.

The resolution’s formal text approves and authorizes a consent and ratification form under which the city evidences consent to a 24-month deferral of loan payments on the HUD 108 loan to Pizitz, LLC. After discussion the council approved the resolution.

Council action: resolution approved; no new appropriation or grant funds were added by the action.

The developer said he would pursue retenanting (including non-food retail) and event activations to increase downtown foot traffic; city officials said they would coordinate follow-up and monitoring of the loan terms with the Downtown Redevelopment Authority.","Birmingham's City Council authorized a consent and ratification enabling a 24-month deferral of payments on a $3.2 million HUD 108 loan tied to the Pizitz Building, allowing the developer additional time to retenant and rebrand the food court after COVID-related declines.",{"_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},6474664,"Council hears yearlong heirs property program convening in Birmingham to address vacant and dilapidated homes",537,2406000,2943000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5739847-3a0ea9361b1b545b2b6b722229943b6f&start=2406&end=2943","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5739847-3a0ea9361b1b545b2b6b722229943b6f/thumbnail_2406000.jpg","/articles/6474664/Birmingham-City/Jefferson-County/Alabama/Council-hears-yearlong-heirs-property-program-convening-in-Birmingham-to-address-vacant-and-dilapidated-homes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6474664-e30fb6a2d3969226223451b888a75863/orig.mp4?Expires=1770920921&Signature=IcyQcboPpSSyel-ip2RXcPkg17e6AOx0oyFtYHiWUW0GXLNrO4vDqxomqCOR9c4vxC5Mxrh4cePFuemmqb8YeTGWY7urejFy2guQT0qHzgqE0hUu9oT5bRuqnYIl48evq7vhBrMxGs5PKoywxc6nTPjGXyFX7siZplOhuLb6eKeGKTnDuFdt41g1hyGLk4q4p9V4jy6aIRGCtnokuR6bAVpY2CELe-9uGiId94oPtYlISWXRSh~A~hw3Zdw2YY02Ck6jopa1HCxpbMUVy8Ngv0Tk9xnTHHOx5zH2Fj6a1djv6Z5wGRqV8HsNzDtohy4rIVP-pX8mi71dUUuuZQSRRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City of Birmingham leaders on Tuesday welcomed the National Community Stabilization Trust (NCST) and partner organizations for a yearlong initiative aimed at addressing heirs property — a form of property ownership that can impede sale, repair or redevelopment when multiple inheritors hold title without clear legal partition.

Mayor Randall Woodfin introduced the NCST cohort and said heirs property surfaced repeatedly during community engagement, and is a significant contributor to blight in multiple council districts. “One of the topics that came up over and over was…heirs property,” the mayor said as he introduced NCST representatives convening in Birmingham.

NCST and local partners described the program as an immersive learning and technical-assistance effort designed to train community development professionals, convene host agencies and develop actionable projects. Chris Tyson, NCST CEO, said the trust’s work builds on long-standing efforts to return vacant property to productive use and expand affordable homeownership. NCST project lead Chris Garland said the program began in January and includes weekly learning sessions, expert speakers and a local special project each host will complete by year’s end.

Neighborhood Housing Services of Birmingham and other local hosts are compiling a “census-like” study of heirs property within Birmingham city limits and said they plan to return to the council with that report. “We’ve been working on a census-like study of heirs property within the city limits. We look forward to coming back and sharing that report with you,” a Neighborhood Housing Services representative said.

Council members from across the chamber praised the initiative and recommended legal clinics, partnerships with volunteer attorneys and neighborhood education to complement technical work; several members cited long-standing local examples of houses that declined after a death in the family and ultimately required demolition.

Presenters named NCST’s partners on the initiative, including NeighborWorks America and host agencies from Atlanta and Baltimore. NCST described the program as both educational and tangible: participating organizations will complete special projects and pursue federal policy and lending innovations to support rehabilitation of vacant properties and preservation of existing single-family homes.

No council vote or formal action was required; presenters and council members said the immediate next step is for NCST and neighborhood housing partners to deliver the heirs property report and to convene further community outreach and technical support.","City leaders and the National Community Stabilization Trust briefed the council on a yearlong initiative focused on heirs property in Black and Latino middle neighborhoods; presenters said the program will support community development professionals and deliver a local study of heirs property patterns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City Council approves up to $14 million transit agreement with BJCTA after questions on app and service reliability

Votes at a glance: Council approves minutes, consent agenda, property sale and other routine items

Council approves 24-month deferral of Pizitz loan payments to aid food-hall retenanting

Council hears yearlong heirs property program convening in Birmingham to address vacant and dilapidated homes