Miles University?

[Tourian]

Roger that, and maybe just maybe it will start dominoes falling leading to a (more) unified Jefferson Co.

[GotLuv4Bham]

Originally Posted by Tourian

Roger that, and maybe just maybe it will start dominoes falling leading to a (more) unified Jefferson Co.

I can think of eight right now that absolutely shouldn't exist. I am not suggesting that Birmingham annex them all, but Fairfield should definitely be taken in.

[steveklein]

Originally Posted by Tourian

Excellent. So the goal has been moved from basically that 'It won't do anything but drag Birmingham down with more poverty, crime and blight' to.. 'Well it won't raise it up as grabbing a place like Cahaba Heights would'

The goal has not been 'moved'. I'm just stating facts why Cahaba Heights into Vestavia happened, and why both sides generally agreed to it. Those same circumstances simply don't exist for Fairfield being annexed into Birmingham. Do you really think a Home Depot and redeveloping a dead shopping center in an area without much disposable income has Birmingham leaders (and current Birmingham residents) chomping at the bit to take on Fairfield and all of its issues?

[Tourian]

Originally Posted by steveklein

The goal has not been 'moved'. I'm just stating facts why Cahaba Heights into Vestavia happened, and why both sides generally agreed to it. Those same circumstances simply don't exist for Fairfield being annexed into Birmingham. Do you really think a Home Depot and redeveloping a dead shopping center in an area without much disposable income has Birmingham leaders (and current Birmingham residents) chomping at the bit to take on Fairfield and all of its issues?

I already addressed all this in my last post. No one has claimed that anyone is "chomping at the bit." That's just putting words in my mouth and general strawmanning. Not going down the rabbit hole with you, so just declare victory and please move on and leave this discussion to those of us who wish to explore the prospect of Miles University in Birmingham.

[Tourian]

Originally Posted by GotLuv4Bham

I can think of eight right now that absolutely shouldn't exist. I am not suggesting that Birmingham annex them all, but Fairfield should definitely be taken in.

Well, the adjacent area will see a boost when the Crossplex development gets off the ground. When people in that area see what is possible with a city that is on a roll and gaining momentum, I don't see why they wouldn't want to give up holding on to failing municipalities like Lipscomb, Brighton, etc.

[steveklein]

You can explore it all you want, but how about exploring why Birmingham would want it.

Just like you can explore building a huge sports facility in Birmingham, but you never seem to want to explore who is going to pay for it.

Funny how that works.

You haven't given any really good reasons why Birmingham would want to annex Fairfield. The reasons you have given are meh... and I don't think Birmingham really wants to take on those headaches for a Home Depot.

[GotLuv4Bham]

As far as our Birmingham government is concerned, councilor Valerie Abbott is the only council member to publicly speak against the idea. She is however on record at a council meeting telling a Miles representative that she welcomes them "if they ever decide to leave that little community to our west". Our mayor hasn't really taken a position. The current council president has publicly said that he is interested in annexation. I believe his exact words were,"I would love to have Fairfield in the city of Birmingham". It doesn't take a genius to figure out which direction the council will vote if this ever becomes a serious question.

[toosie]

Please remember the thread topic is Miles College becoming a University - and the associated positive implications for Birmingham. Clearly, there are different opinions about the relevance of annexing Fairfield; surely, that isn't the only factor in gaining University status - or how the area would be affected?

[jero23]

We can further discuss the annexation propsects in the existing thread I created back in June 2016:

//www.city-data.com/forum/birmi...irmingham.html