2017 State of the City address

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Birmingham Mayor William Bell's 2017 State of the City address was delivered on Tuesday January 10, 2017, at the end of his 7th year in office. Bell addressed the the Kiwanis Club of Birmingham at luncheon in the Harbert Center.

During the speech, Bell reported strong economic growth as reflected in permit revenues and repeated his belief that investments in the city center pay off for outlying neighborhoods by securing more funds for public services and projects.

Bell also mentioned the expected designation of the Civil Rights District as a National Monument with staff from the National Park Service helping to preserve and interpret the city's Civil Rights Movement history.

Bell praised the many public-private partnerships that formed to carry out signature development projects during his tenure. He also discussed the progress of the Birmingham Land Bank Authority and the city's efforts to clear dilapidated structures and make sites available for redevelopment.

Bell hinted that a decision on whether to pursue a $175-200 million open-air stadium or a $450+ indoor facility at the BJCC would be made soon. He also hinted at the potential expansion of Kamtek, a major automotive supplier located in the Valley East Industrial Park. He discussed the need for high-tech job training to fill demand for workers and mentioned partnerships with UAB and Innovate Birmingham among partners working to develop an Innovation District in the city.

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