Michael's Steak & Seafood is getting up to $1.5 million in incentives to open in the Birmingham Negro Southern League Museum.

The Public Athletic, Cultural and Entertainment (PACE) Facilities Board reconvened Monday to approve contracts and lease agreements, which will allow the restaurant to begin build out, said board chairman Sam Rumore.

Under the terms of the agreement, the city will pay for concrete flooring, lighting, outlets, plumbing, and HVAC as well as stoves, ovens, refrigeration and other commercial kitchen equipment.

Michael's will also receive an abatement of the first 24 months of rent on the restaurant space, Rumore said.

The incentives were offered to make the project economically feasible for the restaurant, he said.

The rent is $2,500 a month. The lease is for 10 years with a 10-year extension.

Kelvin Datcher, director of intergovernmental affairs for the city of Birmingham, said the build-out of the restaurant isn't an incentive to Michael's.

"It is us taking care of our building," he said. "We are just completing the building."

The PACE Board was created in August 2011 to oversee the development of Regions Field and the Negro Southern League Museum. Three members of the board are appointed by the mayor, and two are appointed by the city council.

The board went defunct last year. New members were appointed on May 29 to approve the contracts for the restaurant. That's the only business the board will have to address, at least in the near future.

Michael's Steak & Seafood owner Bernadine Birdsong said she's excited the restaurant will soon be coming back to Birmingham. She's been waiting 18 months to get the go-ahead from the city to start construction.

On Friday, though, Birdsong said she didn't know when build out could commence.

"I just think it would be a great opportunity to be back in the city of Birmingham," she said, adding that Michael's originally operated on 20th Street South. "Michael's is one of the oldest steak houses in the state.

Birdsong said the new restaurant will be similar to the Michael's at Aloft Hotel in Homewood.

"They can expect the same good, quality food," she said.

The new restaurant will have a rooftop bar and its own exterior entrance from the museum.

In unrelated museum news, the Negro Southern League Museum underwent a change in leadership last week.

In a memo to employees, Birmingham human resources Director Jill Madajczyk said a number of personal changes were made on the director and deputy director level.

The city declined to say why museum executive director Natasha Rogers resigned or was removed from the position.

Traci Bennett is serving as the interim director.