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VisionLand 1995: As mayor of Fairfield, Langford persuaded 11 cities, including Birming- ham, to create an amusement park. Outcome: The park, which opened in 1998, filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy in 2002 with a $100 million debt. It was sold to a private operator and renamed Alabama Adventure. School construction 2005: As Jefferson County Commission president, Langford proposed a 1 per- cent sales tax for school construction. Outcome: The plan generated $1 billion for the county’s 11 school systems. More than 30 new schools were planned by area systems. XO laptops November 2007: Langford reached an agreement with a foundation that provides computers in developing countries to provide laptop computers to 17,000 elementary and middle school students in Birmingham city schools. Outcome: The XO laptop comput- ers were delivered to Birmingham city schools in 2008. City cleanup November 2007: A month after his election as Birmingham mayor, Langford kicked off a campaign to clean up 23 communities in 23 days. Outcome: Public works employees began cleaning the neighborhoods im- mediately. By Aug. 31, 2009, 106,317 tons of litter and debris had been collected. Sales tax increase December 2007: The City Council ap- proved Langford’s plan to raise the sales tax by 1 cent on the dollar and double business license fees. The mayor had designs on how to use it. “Dome, done. Scholarships, done. Transit, done.” Outcome: Programs such as scholar- ships and transit were cut out of subse- quent budgets. The city has pledged $8 million a year for the dome. Renaming airport June 2008: Langford proposed renam- ing Birmingham International Airport to honor the Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, a minister who helped spark the civil rights movement in the city. Outcome: The airport authority unani- mously approved it a month later. Davis Cup tennis November 2008: Langford made a successful pitch for the first round of tennis’ Davis Cup to be played in Birmingham. Outcome: The April 2009 event at the BJCC was the most attended first-round match in U.S. Davis Cup history, with 45,708 fans. The city plans to pursue the 2010 Fed Cup, the women’s equivalent to the Davis Cup. Aquarium February 1998: Langford announced plans to build a $50 million aquarium on the edge of Dolonah Quarry, a lake in Bessemer near VisionLand. Outcome: In November 2000, Lang- ford said plans for the project, which escalated to $90 million, were shelved because the Jefferson County Commis- sion decided to use the site to expand a waste water treatment plant. College scholarships March 2006: Langford proposed giving a college scholarship for every public high school senior in the county who had at least a C+ average. He estimated the cost at $18 million the first year with 6,000 to 7,000 students who might qualify. Outcome: The Birmingham City Coun- cil in August cut from the budget the $5.6 million proposed by the mayor. Streetcar line December 2007: At Langford’s request, BJCTA Executive Director David Hill presents a $33 million plan to lay tracks, construct a maintenance building and buy 10 vintage streetcars. Outcome: Hill resigned in September 2008. No plans are moving forward for streetcars, although a potential route has been established. Olympic Games June 2008: Langford said he was form- ing a committee to bid to bring the Olympic Games to Birmingham in 2020. “Why not Birmingham? — that’s my question,” Langford said. Outcome: A volunteer committee was appointed to pursue the idea. New municipal complex July 2008: Langford proposed a pentagon-shaped building in Titusville to house a new city jail, police and fire headquarters and public works offices. Downtown fountains September 2008: Langford said down- town needs a European-style central plaza, featuring a fountain, and a traffic roundabout. Dome stadium As president of the County Commis- sion in 2005, Langford and then-Bir- mingham Mayor Bernard Kincaid joined forces to move forward on a dome project, but financing efforts stalled. In December 2007, the new mayor persuaded the council to increase sales tax and business license fees, with some of the money going toward the dome. In June 2009 the City Council pledged $8 million a year to begin design and construction. Outcome: Architects began work on the $530 million project after a ceremo- nial groundbreaking in July 2009. The BJCC said construction will begin in 2011. Railroad Park December 2005: Langford said the county would contribute $2.5 million to help pay for a railroad park. The first phase of the $25 million project includes two lakes, a restaurant, a plaza and trails through a wide expanse of green space south of downtown. In February 2009, he offered $5 million more from the city if the Railroad Park Foundation could raise more for the amphitheater. Outcome: Construction began in December 2008 and is expected to be completed by early 2010. Plans have been drawn for an amphitheater and fundraising is under way. Rickwood Field museum December 2007: Langford said he wanted to discuss restoring Rickwood Field and building a museum. Outcome: In July 2009, the City Council authorized Langford to contract with architecture and design firms for a museum featuring the history of the former Negro League and the Southern League. The goal is to have construction completed by summer 2010, in time for the park’s centennial. Transportation hub January 2008: More than a decade after the project was proposed, a downtown transportation hub had the money to move forward, Langford said. Outcome: The City Council approved spending $9 million to match about $31 million in federal grants. Bethel Baptist January 2008: Langford sought $1 million in city money to help restore Bethel Baptist Church in Collegeville to help a deteriorated community. Outcome: The church is receiving the funds upon request Fair Park redevelopment January 2008: Langford proposed a $90 million project to transform Fair Park into an Olympic-style residential and sports village. It would include Olympic-grade swimming facilities, an indoor track, an equestrian training center and a renovated Birmingham International Raceway. Outcome: The project has been scaled back. Construction is under way on the aquatic center and training facility. Paving city streets September 2008: Langford said he wanted to pave all 1,100 miles of streets in the city. Estimated cost: $126 million. Outcome: The city has paved 125 miles of roads, Langford said in a report is- sued before his trial. Paving is covered in the city’s annual budget. Zoo expansion February 2009: Langford said he wanted to quadruple city funding for the Birmingham Zoo from $500,000 to $2 million a year for an exhibit that brings elephants and other African animals back to the park. Outcome: In June, the City Council committed $15 million to the zoo, and construction on the Trails of Africa exhibit began in July Relocating Trinity Medical Center June 2009: Langford negotiated a deal to keep Trinity Medical Center in Birmingham. The hospital planned to move to Irondale. Outcome: Trinity decided to relocate to a hospital facility on U.S. 280. The first phase, to be completed by 2013, includes completion of the hospital and extensive building on the property. Tax revenues over the course of the project are epected to be $142 million for the city of Birmingham, $36.9 million for Jefferson County and $48 million for schools. Those numbers do not take into account a $55 million tax incentive package promised by Birmingham. Civil Rights trail May 2009: Langford proposed and the council approved developing a Civil Rights Heritage Trail in the city. Estimated cost: $1 million. Outcome: The first three signs of 15 on the trail were unveiled in August. ACCOMPLISHED ABANDONED & UNFINISHED THE LANGFORD LIST As mayor of Fairfield, president of the Jefferson County Commission and mayor of Birmingham, Larry Langford conceived dozens of major projects and championed even more. Here’s a look at where his work stands. IN PROGRESS
