Emily Featherston
In order to improve upon the proposed offerings at the new Vestavia Hills Civic Center, the Vestavia Hills City Council discussed several opportunities to enhance several components of the plan at a Sept. 20 work session.
The original base bid for construction of the Civic Center, which is currently being built, included $425,000 for access control/security, audio/visual, information technology and gymnasium components. At the work session, TCU Consulting presented options for enhancements, including additional cameras, building access controls, better integration with City Hall, more TVs and projectors, upgraded Wi-Fi and additional scoreboards and the ability to control electronics from a variety of locations, among other options.
With the cost of materials increasing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the new options will cost about $352,000, with $300,000 being recouped from the refinancing of existing debt.
The council also considered purchasing additional furniture and cardio equipment, along with improvements to facility-wide electrical circuitry. Those items, also with an existing allotment of $425,000, could be upgraded for an additional $240,000, with the estimate for electrical updates yet to be determined. The council asked TCU for more information before deciding on those upgrades.
Also at the work session, the council heard an update on Altadena Valley Park. The city has submitted an initial grant application for $200,000 to help create trails connecting to the Cahaba River. The city has not committed to the plan, however; City Manager Jeff Downes said applying for the grant simply gets a foot in the door so as to not lose the potential opportunity.
After joining the Cahaba Solid Waste Authority in recent months, Downes told the council there could be a possible decrease in costs of trash and sanitation services in January, while also informing them after the city’s current three-year contract with Amwaste ends, they could enter into a 10-year contract, which would come with a decreasing rate, and is required for solid waste authority members. However, the city can opt out for cause at any time, Downes said.
