Hoover council to vote Monday on $70 million Sportsplex, increase in school funding

The Hoover City Council on Monday night plans to vote on whether to build a $70 million sports complex and whether to increase funding for Hoover schools by $1.5 million a year.

City officials have been tight-lipped about the Hoover Sportsplex project. Neither the mayor nor City Council publicly discussed it at the council’s work session on Thursday night, and neither the mayor nor council president would say what all is proposed to be included in the complex.

But the resolution to approve the estimated $70 million project was in the City Council’s packet, in addition to resolutions to authorize an architectural services agreement with Goodwyn Mills & Cawood and a construction management services agreement with Brasfield & Gorrie, both in conjunction with the sports complex.

See this story for a few more details, but Ivey said he wanted the project to be a surprise and was withholding comment until Monday night, as he promised other city officials.

Some residents, including lacrosse supporters, have welcomed the idea of a new sports complex:

But others say they would rather the city use that money to restore city funding that was cut from Hoover schools over the past decade.

The Hoover City Council has several resolutions on its Monday agenda that would increase the city’s financial contribution to Hoover schools by about $1.5 million a year.

Some school board members said any increase in funding they can get from the city is a plus, but some residents say the city should be giving even more money to schools than is proposed instead of spending so much on a new sports complex.

See more about the school funding proposals here.

Some residents said city officials shouldn’t be voting on a $70 million sports complex without first allowing more time for public input on the matter. It seems city officials are trying to rush a vote on a major project while residents are distracted by Christmas holiday plans, residents are commenting on social media.

The City Council also on Monday will give a first reading for an ordinance to allow and regulate transportation network companies such as Uber and Lyft. A vote is scheduled for that ordinance on Jan. 4.

See the complete agenda for the Dec. 21 council meeting here.