By William C. Singleton III Tobacco and electronic cigarette smokers are finding fewer public places to light up. Mountain Brook became the latest Over the Mountain city to adopt stricter laws to prohibit smoking in enclosed public and work places and certain outdoor public places. Homewood, Hoover and Vestavia Hills also have anti-smoking ordinances, though they differ on … [Read more...]
There is no ‘BAM’ in ‘Hoover’: Proposed Sports Complex Name Lands With a Thud
By William C. Singleton III Hoover city officials want to hear what residents think about a name for the new $80 million sports complex after community outcry made them rethink the name initially chosen. The Florida firm hired to manage the sports complex recommended naming it “The Alabama Sports and Events Center” and calling it by the nickname “The BAM.” Officials with … [Read more...]
Zaragoza Calls for Unity in His Final State of the City
By Emily Williams As Vestavia Hills Mayor Butch Zaragoza gave his final State of the City address Oct. 11, he recounted his administration’s triumphs as well as its shortcomings. The majority of his presentation, given at the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce’s luncheon, focused on the economic development initiatives that took place during his tenure, with the most notable … [Read more...]
Crossing Lines: The Old Berry School Changes Hands, Now Belongs to Vestavia
By William C. Singleton III The former Berry School property is officially a part of Vestavia Hills now. In recent weeks, the city of Vestavia has annexed the 38.5-acre property off Columbiana Road, and the city school board has closed on the sale of the property for $11 million from the Hoover school system. The property houses a school building, which has been used as a … [Read more...]
Grand Opening of Lane Parke Marks New Legacy for Evans Family
By Emily Williams When the ribbon is cut on Lane Parke retail development Oct. 20, developers Rele Evans and his son, John, will celebrate more than a job well done. They will celebrate the product of a decade worth of work. Though the buildings across the space are new, the land that rests beneath the Lane Park apartments, the Grand Bohemian Hotel, the retail space and the … [Read more...]