Birmingham City Councilor (District 2) Hunter Williams says he opposes Mayor Randall Woodfin’s recently announced effort to rename the Birmingham CrossPlex for former mayor Larry Langford, who died last month just days after being released from a federal prison due to his failing health.

Langford, who was 72, served eight years and eight months of a 15 -year sentence for bribery and corruption convictions stemming from his time on the Jefferson County Commission.

During Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Woodfin said he would make a formal proposal for the remaining to the council “at a certain point.”

The idea was backed by Councilors John Hilliard and Steven Hoyt.

Williams, however, in a letter the councilor says he hand-delivered to the mayor’s office on Thursday, wrote:

“You and I both share the unique joy and responsibility that comes with representing the citizens of Birmingham, Alabama—a city that helped raise us both into the men we are now.

“…Former Mayor Larry Lanford had a tremendous vision for this city. His penchant for showmanship and turning big dreams into reality is something that cemented his place as a Birmingham icon, who is revered by many and whose efforts helped create tremendous assets like Railroad Park, Regions Field, and the CrossPlex.

“That said, I have been receiving calls, emails, and letters from my constituents who do not agree with the effort to rename the CrossPlex in honor of Mr. Langford.

“I, too, have concerns about the message this sends, especially to the city’s youth.

“I do not want to send the wrong message by renaming a facility …after a public servant who was convicted on felony bribery and corruption charges. Of course, those actions eventually led to what was the largest municipal bankruptcy in the history of our country.

“Taxpayers are still feeling the aftershock of that and they deserve to know that their involuntary contributions to the city are being handled by good stewards.”

At this time, the mayor’s office has not responded to a request for comment on the letter.

In a conversation Thursday evening, Williams reiterated that he had received a “very, very strong backlash” from constituents “in all areas of” the Crestline neighborhood, with whom he had just shared the letter.

“My district does not agree with renaming a facility for somebody that caused such mistrust,” Williams added. “I want to make sure mayor understands there’s a new set of leadership in Birmingham–that’s us. We have to be visionaries like Larry Langford but do it in an ethical way. We have to represent ourselves in the best possible way to people who invest in Birmingham and to our youth, who look up to us and could possibly say, ‘This guy got here by cheating.’ That’s not right.

“People entrust us to spend their money in a wise way so there won’t be a tax burden on the county for 30 years.”

Williams said he did not reach out to fellow council members before crafting and delivering the letter.

Williams emphasized that his opposition is not personal. He says, in fact, Langford gave him his first job in City Hall--as a economic development intern, while Williams was a student at Southern Methodist University. It happened to be the same summer Langford was initially indicted.

“It was an interesting time at City Hall," Williams said. “I really like the guy. He gave me an opportunity, so personally, I have mixed emotions. But as a leader in this community we’re going to have to choose an ethical path on how we spend taxpayer dollars.”

Williams added that he signed the letter asking for Langford’s compassionate release "and was happy to do so because it was the right thing to do.

“I don’t want to be an enemy to him or his family.”

Langford’s niece, LeNa Powe, said" At the end of the day grace and mercy are given to all, but not many people decide to give it to others."

Updated at 1:42 p.m. on 2/15 with quote from Langford’s niece.

This story will be updated.