The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday approved entering into an agreement with U.S. Steel to pay up to $4.6 million for some site work to prepare 40 acres south of Barber Motorsports Park for a high-tech industrial park.

In turn, U.S. Steel will deed 24 acres near the site over to the city for the relocation of the Southern Museum of Flight.

The city's investment will pay for the construction of a partial road and grading of the property, according to the development agreement. U.S. Steel would actively market the 40-acre site for industrial users.

The property is located off Interstate 20 in the Grand River area near the Bass Pro Shops and the Outlets of Grand River in Leeds.

According to the development agreement, the property has been marketed as industrial property, but the property presents a challenge to development due to its rolling topography and lack of infrastructure.

Museum of Flight Executive Director Brian J. Barsanti has said the museum is out of space at its current location.

The museum would launch a capital campaign to build a new facility, he said.

"The city would benefit from a new structure raised from private funding," Barsanti said.

The development agreement states the site near Barber Motorsports would substantially increase the museum's revenues due to the other attractions in the area.

Barsanti on Tuesday said the museum had just over 60,000 visitors last year. They could double that number at the new location, he said.

Councilor Steven Hoyt spoke against the project.

"This makes no sense to me," he said. "It is not being fiscal responsible."

He said the airport would probably give them land for the new museum.

Hoyt had asked for the development agreement to be deferred and considered at a later Committee of the Whole meeting. That motion failed.

Scales asked city finance Director Tom Barnett if the city would have to borrow money for the project.

Barnett said the city would have to borrow the funds to pay for the road building and grading.

Councilors John Hilliard and President Pro Tem Jay Roberson spoke in favor of the project.

"I ask you to be visionaries," Hillard told his fellow councilors.

Lisa Cooper, economic development for the city of Birmingham, previously said the high-tech industrial park could create 429 jobs and, when in operation, generate $8.5 million in city revenues over 20 years.

She said the city is already working to recruit high-tech companies to the park.