City updates from the mayor

City Hall is busy with a number of activities at this time.

First and foremost, I want to share that at this point, nine months into the fiscal year, revenue is above what we anticipated to be at this point in time in our budgeting.

Second, as we approach the back to school season, I want to commend the cooperation between Vestavia Hills City Schools and the City in their work to enhance safety in our schools. Various members from both systems recently attended a comprehensive training course on the FEMA Campus in Emmitsburg, Md.

Certainly we hope we never need to activate the plans for dealing with these multi-hazard situations, but it’s best to be prepared for such. Our students, parents, teachers and administrators deserve nothing less than a safe and secure learning and working environment.

In terms of City Hall’s relocation, we are continuing to work toward an agreement for the Food World building and Joe’s Ranch House properties. I hope that within the next several weeks we are able to finalize that deal.

On that note, there is some interest from a national retailer to purchase the existing City Hall property. Of course, this is based on our ability to close the aforementioned properties.

All told, I expect this to be a about a 24-month project as far as completing the move into our new City Hall. We are also working on a deal to sell off the old library property and to have that space redeveloped.

In other news, Northport Holding is on target to begin construction on its 120-bed skilled nursing facility on approximately seven acres at Patchwork Farms. Another developer could potentially purchase an additional seven acres in the same area.

As always, please don’t hesitate to contact my office if we can be of service to you. Thank you for all you do to support Vestavia Hills.

Sincerely,

Butch Zaragoza

Mayor