Capstone, last August 16, 2021 this Annual Report (below) was released. The TID was mentioned on page 12, section 3.1. Hopefully, this years report will be released in a week or so and we can read about some progress on the project. According to a couple of reporters I know, Russell Mumpers office has been telling them they can't speak about it, citing a non-disclosure agreement. They acknowlege it's existance, but, just have been instructed to give no details. So, I'm guessing they have been instructed by Dr. Mumper to just not talk about it.
But, let me say, it was Dr. Mumper himself that said, last August, it would be announced in a few weeks (I took that to mean a month or two). Also, he personally handed over the document in the photo. The document is about 200 pages and goes into extreme detail of the project. Even providing three options of building design to BOT. This will be a massive undertaking. The thing that makes me feel great about the project is all the letters of support from many sources, like , the City of Tuscaloosa, the Tuscaloosa County Commission, the State of Alabama, the Chamber of Commerce, Mercedes, Alabama Power, etc.
The reporters I've spoken to said they want Phase Three of the Jack Warner/MLK project to be underway so they can have the road access under construction and stand on the property to put ceremonial shovels in the ground. For Phase Three to begin, an agreement between the City of Tuscaloosa and Kansas City Southern Railroad has to be reached on the design for the Parkway to pass under the train bridge. Last December, Jason Morton, of the Tuscaloosa News reported that progress was 95% on that agreement. Jason has since left the News and taken a position with an engineering firm (congrats to Jason). I've heard nothing about a final agreement. I know the city of Tuscaloosa is not the hold up. They wanted to begin Phase Three yesterday.
I know the difficulties of dealing with COVID have slowed progress. But, I know Russell Mumper is still excited about the project and has been ready to get the project underway. When this ball really gets rolling, Dr. Russell Mumper will go down as one of the best hires in University of Alabama history.
I'm consider myself a patient person, but, because this will be such a positive for the University and the City of Tuscaloosa, my patience is stretched to its limit. LOL
http://ovpred.ua.edu/files/2021/08/A...O-08.16.21.pdf
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