BJCC officials say plans for outdoor stadium on hold Share Shares Copy Link Copy

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WEBVTT WVTM 13'S JEFF ELIASOPH HAS THEPROGRESS REPORT.REPORTER: THIS IS WHAT ANOUTDOOR VENUE IN DOWNTOWNBIRMINGHAM COULD LOOK LIKE.>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A45,000 SEAT STADIUM.IT WILL COST ANYWHERE BETWEEN$150 MILLION TO $175 MILLION.YOU HAVE TO HAVE MONEY.>> IT IS GOING TO REQUIREPUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS WITHTHE COMMUNITY, UAB, THE CITY OFBIRMINGHAM AND JEFFERSON COUNTY.REPORTER: THEY ARE WILLIAM BELLHAS EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR THEPROJECT IN THE PAST BUT NEXTMONTH'S ELECTION PUT THINGS IN AHOLDING PATTERN.>> IT DOES, BUT NO MATTER WHO ISELECTED, YOU WOULD THINK THAT APROJECT SUCH AS THIS WOULD BEGOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY.REPORTER: ADDING NEW INTERESTAND URGENCY TO THE PROJECT, THERETURN OF UAB FOOTBALL INSEPTEMBER.WHEN IT RESUMES, THEY WILLBE PLAYING AT THE OLDGRAY LADY LEGION FIELD, WHICHOPEN FOR BUSINESS 90 YEARS AGOTHIS FALL.UAB WOULD BE A KEY LESSEE IN AMODERN STADIUM, BUT THE IDEA ISTO BRING IN MAJOR CONCERTS ANDOTHER EVENTS, LIKE SOCCER ANDMONSTER TRUCK SHOWS.THE BJCC SAYS THE EXISTINGFACILITIES PROVIDE A QUARTER OF$1 BILLION OF ECONOMIC IMPACT TOTHE AREA EVERY YEAR, BUT NEEDRENOVATION AND EXPANSION AFTER40 YEARS.>> IS THIS GOING TO HAPPEN?>> I THINK IT WILL.REPORTER: BUT THERE IS NOTIMETABLE.STAKEHOLDERS INCLUDINGBIRMINGHAM NEED TO COME FORWARDIN THE MONTHS AND YEARSFOLLOWING AUGUST ELECTIONS.GUY: WE REACHED OUT TO SEVERALOF THE BIRMINGHAM MAYORALCANDIDATES, INCLUDING MAYORBELL.ONLY ONE RESPONDED.RANDALL WOODFIN SAYS HE'S NOTOPPOSED TO THE STADIUM, BUT HEIS OPPOSED TO USING TAXPAYER

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