Tag Archives: News

To lease or not to lease city vehicles

Larry’s currently suggesting that the city of Birmingham lease vehicles to replace the current city fleet of 2,200, presumably saving the city money over the life of the 3 year lease agreements. He’s recommending that the city tap into its reserve fund (to the tune of about $2.9 million) to cover a portion of the costs associated.

If he hopes to be successful with this proposal, he needs for it to be approved soon, especially considering that signals are coming from the Big 3 U.S. auto makers that the lease ride may be ending (if not at least harder to pull off) directly through them from now on. Plus, there are some concerns from city councilors about tapping into the reserve fund for vehicles (which has probably increased after hearing that the $4 million shortfall that the BJCTA said existed was now actually closer to $7.4 million).

The News announces employee buyout offers

That’s the word according to The Birmingham News’ breaking news blog.

The story was posted shortly after 5 p.m. today. News publisher Victor Hansen, III promised “…to continue the strong local news coverage, investigative reporting and service to advertisers that the metropolitan Birmingham area has come to expect.”

The Birmingham Business Journal reported earlier in the day that the buyouts were offered to employees 55 years of age or older and that there would be no subsequent layoffs at this time.

Signature projects downtown take shape

Model of Railroad Park structures. Special to bhamterminal.com

Special to bhamterminal.com

Today’s ONB Breakfast Briefing focused on the current status of three projects considered by many to be signature statements for Birmingham, including the Railroad Park and the Marriott Renaissance Hotel to be located in the former Regions Bank headquarters. Click on the image above to view more images from the presentation.

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Mark Prater’s coming back to Birmingham

Mark Prater headshotThe Prattville native has announced on his website that he will be returning to metro Birmingham as CBS 42‘s new chief meteorologist beginning July 1. The former ABC 33/40 meteorologist, last in the market in late 2004, seems to be looking forward to the challenge. He’s currently the chief meteorologist on INN in Davenport, IA

La Paree’s coming down

La Paree restaurant sign

André Natta/Flickr

This longtime downtown Birmingham sign will soon be going away. Harbert Realty Services announced this morning that they will be demolishing the former La Paree restaurant, located at 2013 5th Avenue North, to allow for more space in the planned 4-Diamond Marriott Renaissance Hotel. The $52 million luxury hotel will be contained in the former Regions Bank headquarters at the intersection of 5th Avenue North and 20th Street.

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last car, 1.17.2008

Brother Bryan photo - bhamjay/Flickr

Brother Bryan Five Points South. Photo credit: bhamjay/Flickr

We figure everyone’s getting ready to make a run to the grocery store for peanut butter and bread (we’ll never quite understand why those two items) as we brace for the chance of some (potential) snow accumulations tomorrow evening.

Since you’re going to be settled in early tomorrow evening, you may want to check out the special on APTV tomorrow evening focusing on the Birmingham StartUp weekend that happened in September. The show starts at 7 p.m. and if you’ve got one of those HDTVs, you’ll even be able to watch the highlights in high definition, as reported on the project’s blog.

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