Birmingham Parking Authority: Difference between revisions

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The '''Birmingham Parking Authority''', created in [[1972]], oversees the construction and operation of off-street public parking lots and decks for the City of [[Birmingham]]. The Authority is governed by a three-member board of directors, appointed by the [[Birmingham City Council]].  
The '''Birmingham Parking Authority''', created in [[1972]], oversees the construction and operation of off-street public parking lots and decks for the City of [[Birmingham]]. The Authority is governed by a three-member board of directors, appointed by the [[Birmingham City Council]].  


The authority currently employs 70 full- and part-time personnel to operate 7 parking decks and 3 surface lots with a total of 9,718 parking spaces.
The authority currently employs 70 full- and part-time personnel to operate 7 parking decks and 3 surface lots with a total of 8,116 parking spaces.


The authority was authorized by Act 2079 of the Alabama legislature in October [[1971]]. As a "special district government" under Alabama law, the Authority has been able to issue revenue bonds, acquire property and impose service fees. [[Bill Voigt]] served for 14 years as executive director, and was also vice-chairman of the board under [[Ferd Weil]]. The authority was reclassified as a "dependent agency " for the 2002 Census of Governments.
The authority was authorized by [[Act of Alabama 1971-2079]] ([https://archive.org/details/alabama-acts-1971_v4/page/n789/mode/2up link]), which was signed by Governor [[George Wallace]] in October [[1971]]. In its findings, the legislature determined that, "the free circulation of traffic on the streets of cities having a population of 300,000 or more is necessary to the health, safety and general welfare of the public," and that, "parking facilities in such cities are grossly inadequate.". It further explained that, "private enterprise has not been able to solve the problem, because private parking lots are frequently temporary in nature, located without regard for actual parking requirements, with vacant land being used for parking purposes in more or less haphazard fashion," and "those operating parking facilities impose upon the public by charging grossly excessive and oppressive fees for parking."
 
The 1971 law authorized the creation of a public corporation, comprised of three directors, who must be qualified electors and property owners in the city, to be elected by the [[Birmingham City Council]]. The Authority, in turn, was granted authority to issue revenue bonds, acquire property and impose service fees. [[Bill Voigt]] served for 14 years as executive director, and was also vice-chairman of the board under [[Ferd Weil]]. The authority was reclassified as a "dependent agency " for the 2002 Census of Governments.


In October [[2020]] the newly-formed [[Birmingham Economic Development Partners]], headed by [[Shipt]] founder [[Bill Smith]], offered to purchase six of the city's parking decks for $40,375,000, leaving [[Birmingham Parking Authority Deck 2|Deck 2]] adjacent to [[Boutwell Auditorium]] in BPA hands. Mayor [[Randall Woodfin]] supported the proposed sale as a way to offset the city's revenue shortfall from the [[2020 Coronavirus pandemic]], and potentially re-hire some of the 158 [[Birmingham Public Library]] staff on furlough. The BPA's board of directors criticized the proposal as "short-sighted," and said that it could modernize on its own.
In October [[2020]] the newly-formed [[Birmingham Economic Development Partners]], headed by [[Shipt]] founder [[Bill Smith]], offered to purchase six of the city's parking decks for $40,375,000, leaving [[Birmingham Parking Authority Deck 2|Deck 2]] adjacent to [[Boutwell Auditorium]] in BPA hands. Mayor [[Randall Woodfin]] supported the proposed sale as a way to offset the city's revenue shortfall from the [[2020 Coronavirus pandemic]], and potentially re-hire some of the 158 [[Birmingham Public Library]] staff on furlough. The BPA's board of directors criticized the proposal as "short-sighted," and said that it could modernize on its own.
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** [[Birmingham Parking Authority Deck 8]] ([[October 1991]]) - 2021 [[3rd Avenue South]], ''1114 Spaces - 11 Levels''. $80/month
** [[Birmingham Parking Authority Deck 8]] ([[October 1991]]) - 2021 [[3rd Avenue South]], ''1114 Spaces - 11 Levels''. $80/month
* managed parking decks
* managed parking decks
** [[Cooper Green Deck]] ([[1974]]) - 1515 [[6th Avenue South]], ''915 Spaces''
** [[Five Points South Deck]] ([[April 1986]]) - 2012 [[Magnolia Avenue]], ''237 Spaces - 5 Levels'' - privately owned. $55/month
** [[Five Points South Deck]] ([[April 1986]]) - 2012 [[Magnolia Avenue]], ''237 Spaces - 5 Levels'' - privately owned. $55/month
* parking lots
* parking lots
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* [[Birmingham Parking Authority Lot D]] ([[September 1975]]) - 1801 [[Powell Avenue]], ''218 Spaces''. Sold to [[Alabama Power Company]] in late [[2012]] as part of the proposed redevelopment of the [[Powell Avenue Steam Plant]].
* [[Birmingham Parking Authority Lot D]] ([[September 1975]]) - 1801 [[Powell Avenue]], ''218 Spaces''. Sold to [[Alabama Power Company]] in late [[2012]] as part of the proposed redevelopment of the [[Powell Avenue Steam Plant]].
* [[Birmingham Parking Authority Deck 9]] ([[June 1994]]) - 1912 [[5th Avenue South]], ''840 Spaces - 8 Levels''. Now owned and operated by UAB as the [[5th Avenue Parking Deck]].
* [[Birmingham Parking Authority Deck 9]] ([[June 1994]]) - 1912 [[5th Avenue South]], ''840 Spaces - 8 Levels''. Now owned and operated by UAB as the [[5th Avenue Parking Deck]].
** [[Cooper Green Deck]] ([[1974]]–[[2022]]) - 1515 [[6th Avenue South]], ''915 Spaces'' - owned by Jefferson County


==Executive directors==
==Executive directors==
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* "[http://www.birminghamtimes.com/2021/03/new-ceo-of-birmingham-parking-authority-declines-job-days-before-his-start/ New CEO of Birmingham Parking Authority Declines Job, Days Before His Start]" (March 22, 2021) {{BT}}
* "[http://www.birminghamtimes.com/2021/03/new-ceo-of-birmingham-parking-authority-declines-job-days-before-his-start/ New CEO of Birmingham Parking Authority Declines Job, Days Before His Start]" (March 22, 2021) {{BT}}
* Coker, Angel (October 5, 2021) "Birmingham Parking Authority names André Davis CEO." {{BBJ}}
* Coker, Angel (October 5, 2021) "Birmingham Parking Authority names André Davis CEO." {{BBJ}}
* Fleming, David (April 21, 2023) "[https://downtownbhm.com/news/a-call-for-a-parking-revolution/ A Call for a Parking Revolution]." Downtownbhm.com
* O'Leary, A. J. (May 11, 2023) "Birmingham Parking Authority launches new parking strategic plan." {{BBJ}}


==External Links==
==External Links==

Latest revision as of 16:06, 16 May 2023

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The Birmingham Parking Authority, created in 1972, oversees the construction and operation of off-street public parking lots and decks for the City of Birmingham. The Authority is governed by a three-member board of directors, appointed by the Birmingham City Council.

The authority currently employs 70 full- and part-time personnel to operate 7 parking decks and 3 surface lots with a total of 8,116 parking spaces.

The authority was authorized by Act of Alabama 1971-2079 (link), which was signed by Governor George Wallace in October 1971. In its findings, the legislature determined that, "the free circulation of traffic on the streets of cities having a population of 300,000 or more is necessary to the health, safety and general welfare of the public," and that, "parking facilities in such cities are grossly inadequate.". It further explained that, "private enterprise has not been able to solve the problem, because private parking lots are frequently temporary in nature, located without regard for actual parking requirements, with vacant land being used for parking purposes in more or less haphazard fashion," and "those operating parking facilities impose upon the public by charging grossly excessive and oppressive fees for parking."

The 1971 law authorized the creation of a public corporation, comprised of three directors, who must be qualified electors and property owners in the city, to be elected by the Birmingham City Council. The Authority, in turn, was granted authority to issue revenue bonds, acquire property and impose service fees. Bill Voigt served for 14 years as executive director, and was also vice-chairman of the board under Ferd Weil. The authority was reclassified as a "dependent agency " for the 2002 Census of Governments.

In October 2020 the newly-formed Birmingham Economic Development Partners, headed by Shipt founder Bill Smith, offered to purchase six of the city's parking decks for $40,375,000, leaving Deck 2 adjacent to Boutwell Auditorium in BPA hands. Mayor Randall Woodfin supported the proposed sale as a way to offset the city's revenue shortfall from the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic, and potentially re-hire some of the 158 Birmingham Public Library staff on furlough. The BPA's board of directors criticized the proposal as "short-sighted," and said that it could modernize on its own.

Executive director Lynn Thomas resigned in 2019 and was succeeded by acting director Wanda Knight. A search committee hired long-time parking executive Daniel Lassiter. He accepted the offer, but then changed his mind two days before his anticipated start due to "personal family reasons". Consultant Brett Wood took his place as interim director as the search for a permanent CEO resumed.

BPA facilities

Former facilities

Executive directors

References

External Links

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