With the Birmingham City Council lending its initial support to the expansion of the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center Complex, there are still a number of steps to making the new downtown stadium a reality.

No firm has been hired yet to design the stadium for construction. The BJCC also must seek competitive bids on engineering, architecture and construction firms.

But a lot of things have already taken place to get the project underway and others are in the process.

BJCC Executive Director Tad Snider said the next step will be to secure passage of state legislation that would enact a 3 percent car rental tax in Jefferson County. Revenues from this tax will go towards debt service on the BJCC project. The legislation should be introduced in the next two weeks, he said.

The state legislature authorized the tax in 2001 so city officials are hopeful the bill will pass this session.

Construction on a downtown stadium could start before the end of the year if all the promised funding is secured in the coming months, Snider said.

BJCC expansion

The BJCC's 20-year, $300 million master plan includes the construction of a $174 million open-air stadium, a Legacy Arena makeover and an outside piazza renovation. The stadium would have up to 55,000 seats and additional meeting and exhibition space.

In determining the feasibility of a downtown stadium, Snider said Conventions, Sports & Leisure International, a consulting firm, interviewed potential users and potential future users of the venue, including ESPN, Bruno Event Team, SEC, Alabama High School Athletic Association and concert promoters, to determine the "sweet spot" for seating capability on a limited budget.

He said the stadium would be slightly larger than what University of Alabama at Birmingham could likely construct on its own. The stadium would be large enough to potentially accommodate the Magic City Classic, Birmingham Bowl and international soccer.

In comparison, Legion Field has a seating capacity of 71,594.

Snider said a downtown stadium could be expanded if the demand for a larger venue grows.

The renovation of Legacy Arena includes a modern, updated facade, new entrances, and an added suite level. The plan calls for more food and beverage options.

Snider said the upgrades to Legacy Arena would be suitable for any potential user including the NCAA and NBA.

The BJCC is projecting that 32 new full-time employees will be added to manage the new facility. The new facility will cause the creation of 147 new full-time positions in the community, according to the BJCC.

To accommodate growth, the BJCC plans to construct an additional parking deck. The BJCC will develop a comprehensive parking plan.

Money

Sometime this year, the BJCC anticipates securing a bond for an estimated $300 million to begin the construction project.

The BJCC said the new stadium could be ready in 2020 and in time for the 2021 World Games in Birmingham,

Before going to the bond market, the BJCC must work with the city of Birmingham "through the remaining due diligence process and begin to draft a document suitable for the mayor and council to formally consider a funding commitment toward the project," Snider said.

On Tuesday, the Birmingham City Council approved a "resolution of intent," an initial commitment to give $90 million, $3 million a year for 30 years, toward the debt service on the bond. The Jefferson County Commission has committed $30 million spread out over the next three decades for the project.

Birmingham and Jefferson County have said their funding is contingent on construction starting before the end of the year.

Here is the breakdown on how the BJCC expansion will be paid for:

- The Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center Authority will contribute $10.7 million in annual debt service. The BJCC's funds come from its allocation of the Jefferson County beverage tax, lodging tax, tobacco tax, sales and use tax and onsite self-generated BJCC transactional taxes.

- The rental car tax is anticipated to yield $3.5 million toward annual debt service.

- Jefferson County has approved by resolution $1 million toward annual debt service

- The city of Birmingham is considering $3 million toward annual debt service.

According to the BJCC, the total annual debt service is projected to be $21.5 million.

A 10-year taxable private placement secured by naming rights, sponsorships, corporate community contributions and UAB will provide $4 million per year for the first 10 years of operation.

Before securing a bond for the construction project, the BJCC board of directors will seek requests for proposals for underwriters, with specific requirements for minority firm participation in the underwriting team, according to the BJCC.

Porter, White & Company, a Birmingham-based investment bank, and Rice Advisory, a Montgomery-based municipal advisory firm, are serving as the BJCC's financial advisors on the project.

According to the BJCC, Hobby Presley with Maynard Cooper, has been retained as the bond counsel for the transaction.

Populous, a global architectural design firm specializing in stadium, arena and convention center design, was engaged to update the BJCC's master plan and make budget estimates on renovations and building a new stadium.