The City of Birmingham is proposing a historic $45 million investment to prepare young people for high-demand careers, improve recreational spaces, expand financial literacy education and enhance an early childhood learning facility, according to a city news release.
Mayor Randall L. Woodfin and Birmingham City Schools Superintendent Mark Sullivan jointly presented the proposal during a Birmingham City Council Committee of the Whole meeting. If approved, the funding package will advance to the full City Council for consideration.
The city would finance the proposed investment with a portion of the ad valorem tax Jefferson County collects and designates exclusively for public school building projects. State law established the tax in 1951, and Birmingham voters renewed it for 25 years in 2019. The law allows the city to use the revenue to directly finance eligible school capital improvements validated by bond counsel.
About $61 million in ad valorem revenue was dedicated to debt service in fiscal year 2025. Collections are projected to increase to about $71.8 million in fiscal year 2026. Under the city’s proposed pay-as-you-go financing approach, Birmingham would use the revenue to fund capital improvements and reduce debt obligations over time.
The proposal would not affect the city’s general fund budget or require operating revenue.
The proposed investment includes:
- $40 million to construct the Future Ready Career and Innovation Center, a workforce development campus at the former Arthur School site.
- $4.1 million to renovate basketball courts at Birmingham City Schools elementary and middle schools.
- $1 million to support the Junior Achievement Economic Education Center, which would provide immersive financial literacy and career readiness experiences for Birmingham students.
- $60,000 to renovate the playground at the James Rushton Early Learning Center.
“This proposed investment responsibly leverages ad valorem funds for their intended purpose: strengthening our public schools while preparing students for the careers that will drive Birmingham’s future economy,” Woodfin said. “By investing in career and technical education, modern school facilities, financial literacy and safe recreational spaces, we’re building a stronger return on investment for taxpayers: a better-educated workforce, greater economic competitiveness, and more opportunities for our young people to succeed right here in Birmingham. This is how we make strategic investments today that deliver benefits for generations to come.”
The city envisions the Future Ready Career and Innovation Center as a regional hub where students can gain industry-recognized skills, hands-on experience and pathways to high-demand careers in Alabama and beyond.
Initial programming would focus on health sciences, including nursing, licensed practical nursing, physical therapy, patient care, medical assisting, sterile processing and radiologic technology.
Future phases are expected to add career pathways in electrical trades; heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration; welding; plumbing; cybersecurity and information technology; collision repair and automotive services; commercial driving; accounting; aviation maintenance; commercial aviation; public safety, including law enforcement, fire service and emergency medical services; advanced manufacturing; and education.
“The proposal also includes investments that support student wellness, recreation and real-world learning. Basketball court renovations at elementary and middle schools will provide updated recreational spaces that encourage physical activity and strengthen neighborhood schools as community assets,” the city said in the release.
The proposed investment in the Junior Achievement Economic Education Center would allow Birmingham sixth- and eighth-grade students to participate in immersive lessons on entrepreneurship, personal finance, business management and civic leadership through the nationally recognized JA BizTown and JA Finance Park simulations.
About 3,200 Birmingham City Schools students are expected to participate each year. The partnership would also bring thousands of students and volunteers from across the region to Birmingham annually.
Funding would support playground improvements at the James Rushton Early Learning Center, creating safer and more engaging outdoor learning opportunities for the district’s youngest students.
If the City Council approves the proposal, the investments “will strengthen Birmingham’s commitment to preparing students for successful careers, supporting neighborhood schools and building a workforce equipped to meet the demands of a changing economy,” the city said.
