The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday approved supporting the expansion and renovation of the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex including a new downtown stadium.

In a 7-to-0 vote, the council approved a "resolution of intent" to support the project and contribute $90 million to be paid over 30 years.

No funding, though, is being allocated yet.

According to the resolution of intent, the city's willingness to pledge its funding is contingent on the following: the city council's approval of and entering into a mutually acceptable agreement with the BJCC; the city council's appropriation of the funds to be pledged by the city; completion of a debt offering by the BJCC in 2018 to provide funding for the facility; and for construction to begin on or before Dec. 21, 2018.

Councilor Lashunda Scales abstained from the vote. Councilor Sheila Tyson wasn't in attendance.

Addressing the council and members of the public, Mayor Randall Woodfin said the city needs to help fund the construction of the stadium to generate new revenue to pay for street paving, demolition of dilapidated houses and rebuilding sidewalks.

He said the city doesn't currently have the money to pay for those priorities.

Last week, Woodfin asked the council to approve contributing $3 million a year for 30 years. The city's contribution would come each year from excess lodging tax and funds that have previously been going to city debt service, he said.

The expansion of the BJCC is projected to generate $9.9 million in additional tax revenue for the city, according to the BJCC.

Woodfin said that new tax revenue will go into a new fund to be used only for neighborhood revitalization.

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.

"None of us think this is a slam-dunk win," Council President Valerie Abbott said. "The devil is in the details. The details haven't been worked out," she said, which is why only a resolution of intent was considered Tuesday.

Council President Pro Tem Jay Roberson said when the funding is in place there will be $90 million invested in the neighborhood of Druid Hills. It will support Capital Heights, Norwood and North Birmingham.

"It is a major economic shot in the arm to north Birmingham," he said, adding that the expansion project will create jobs.

Scales spoke against the downtown project, though she abstained from voting.

"I am so tired of hearing that we can come up with everything in the world to justify spending if it is downtown and south of Birmingham," she said. I wanted to be on a team that was for everybody and not using city dollars to centime to divide this city."

Scales said if this isn't about location, then why not demolish Legion Field and build a new stadium there? She said she would support $90 million going into Legion Field to prepare the city for the 2021 World Games.

Several residents spoke out against the city helping to fund the project. They said the city is neglecting its residents.

Gilbert Cline said city officials are "attempting to silence the voice of the people.

"This government seems to be betraying the elderly voters and literally playing with fire," he said.

William Harden Jr. said he isn't opposed to the stadium. He questioned whether the stadium is too small and if there is enough parking.

He said he would like to see UAB kick in more money for the stadium.

Adali Trone said the project "is alienating the majority of the citizens of Birmingham."

"Who is this really for?" he asked. If it is for UAB, then it needs to be built at UAB, he said.

Macon Evans, chief operating officer of Your Pie, said the Uptown District is event-driven. The tax revenue generated when there are events there is three to five times what it is when there are no events going on, he said.

The stadium would help built momentum, he said.

The BJCC Authority is committing $10.7 million to the annual debt service on the project. Jefferson County has committed $1 million a year for 30 years.

During a meeting at city hall last week, BJCC Executive Director Tad Snider said UAB and corporate partners have committed to a combined $4 million a year for 10 years through a lease agreement, sponsorship and naming rights.

State legislation that would levy an additional 3 percent automobile rental tax in Jefferson County for the support of the BJCC has been advertised for the 2018 legislative session.

This rental sales tax is expected to generate $3.5 million a year for 30 years.

According to the bill, the stadium must be suitable for NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision football games.

Another bill being advertised would levy a 6 percent automobile rental tax. According to the bill, 3 percent would be allocated to the BJCC project and 3 percent would be used for tourism, economic development and neighborhood revitalization.

It's unclear which bill may go forward, and neither of them have a sponsor yet.