Tuscaloosa Discussion Thread

[ttownfeen]

Some national accolades:

Tuscaloosa was ranked of the 50 Best Places to Launch a Small Business by Fortune Small Business magazine in their November 2009 issue.

http://money.cnn.com/smallbusiness/b...s_launch/2009/

[ttownfeen]

Bryce impass: Riley to tour Carraway

An update on the whole Bryce situation.

[SpawnOfVulcan]

Originally Posted by ttownfeen

Some national accolades:

Tuscaloosa was ranked of the 50 Best Places to Launch a Small Business by Fortune Small Business magazine in their November 2009 issue.

http://money.cnn.com/smallbusiness/b...s_launch/2009/

WOW, the ENTIRE state did better than every other state in the southeast outside of North Carolina, and better than most other states. Very impressive. Congrats to Huntsville and Auburn too. Articles like this actually go a long way in attracting people and business.

[ttownfeen]

Originally Posted by Alabadrock

City of Tuscaloosa has authorized a lawsuit to block the sale of Bryce to UA. Does anyone even care that the patient might get better treatment at a different location? The state should decide to do what is in the best interest of the patients. If that mean staying at Bryce, building at Partlow, moving to Birmingham, whatever it is, they should do whatever is best for patients.

Originally Posted by Dyingyak

I think the lawsuit is a little short-sided. The expansion of UA onto the Bryce campus is to good an opportunity to pass up. In all likelihood - more revenue would probably be generated in transitioning the property to University usage than having it remain in it's current capacity - or updated capacity.

I don't see it short-sighted. Possibly grand-standing, but I think the lawsuit is more symbolic than anything else. If I'm a city leader, I'm thinking that since the best interest of the patients is the same regardless of the location, the key factor is that it's in the best interest of the area that 600+ jobs and the status and mental health center of the state stay in Tuscaloosa.

I'm also not buying that's any jobs created by the acquisition of the Bryce property by UA would offset the loss of the state mental hospital. What are these jobs that are so dependent on the acquisition of land? That couldn't be created by the $60m that would be saved by UA not getting Bryce?

And again, I think the lawsuit is more symbolic. The understanding was that the DMH would sell Bryce to UA and take the money to build a new hospital on the Partlaw property in Tuscaloosa (that the state already owns). It was only after the DMH decided that UA was some cash cow to solve their problem that this came about.

[SpawnOfVulcan]

Of course, that is assuming that the level of care the patients receive remains constant no matter where they go, which it very well may.

You're right though, it is symbolic. It is, however, wasteful and reckless. The city and the University have always had a pretty good relationship, this could go a long way towards changing that...

[ttownfeen]

Originally Posted by Alabadrock

Of course, that is assuming that the level of care the patients receive remains constant no matter where they go, which it very well may.

You're right though, it is symbolic. It is, however, wasteful and reckless. The city and the University have always had a pretty good relationship, this could go a long way towards changing that...

I don't think the lawsuit is directed towards UA, though. I have to go back and read what the lawsuit entails, but I believe the city is more concerned with keeping Bryce here.

Here's what Paul Davis, a board member of the DMH board wrote to the Tuscaloosa News:

MY TURN: Paul David: UA is not giving Bryce enough money credit for its past services

Several things to comment on:

* What an insulting notion that the University is about football, first and foremost. No, UA is a university first and foremost. It is cognizant that, paraphrasing Bear Bryant, 50,000 people don't show up to see a math test, but it is still an academic organization first and foremost.

* UA endowment is nowhere near $2 billion. The entire UA system's endowment is less than $1 billion. UA's endownment is around $500 million.

* He invokes Shelby Hall as evidence of all this money that UA is sitting on all this money and won't budge a bit to get Bryce. Need we remind him that most of the money came from the taxpayers via local sugar daddy Richard Shelby?

Basically, this boils down to the DMH wanting to take advantage of UA to solve all their problems. Even they realize that there's no way they can get $100 million from the private sector for land that requires environment cleanup, historic preservation, and dealing with multiple gravesites. That's why they're holding people's jobs hostage.

[ttownfeen]

Witt: UA will acquire Bryce

Despite city’s plans to sue, university president optimistic

However, Witt did say the university made a fair offer to the state for the property despite falling about $24 million short of the amount mental health officials say they want for the property.

“The governor felt it was fair and reasonable,” Witt said. “It’s still under consideration, and I am optimistic it will be accepted.”

So Riley thought the offer was fair. Interesting.

[ttownfeen]

The politicians are getting involved in this whole Bryce thing. Besides the aforementioned lawsuit, members of the local state legislature delegation are holding community meetings to get input from the public on the matter.

Public invited to comment on Bryce

It's tomorrow (11/4) at 5:30 at the Northport Civic Center.

[ttownfeen]

Report about the aforementioned meeting (it occured yesterday):

State still exploring options for sale of Bryce Hospital

TUSCALOOSA | Its future has yet to be decided, but no one wants Bryce Hospital to move to Birmingham, a former Alabama Department of Mental Health commissioner said Wednesday during a public meeting.

“Take my word for it, the governor doesn’t,” Kathy Sawyer said.

Sawyer, who has been contracted by the state to study the feasibility of selling the Bryce Hospital property to the University of Alabama, represented Gov. Bob Riley at the meeting.

“As long as I am working on this project, I am going to do everything possible, should there be a sale, if Bryce is relocated, it’s going to be here,” Sawyer said. “And the only reason it won’t be is because this community can’t come up with the creative ways to keep it here.”

Local leaders met the public at the Northport Civic Center to discuss the possible relocation of Bryce Hospital. The meeting attracted a standing room-only crowd of about 300 people.

In response to Sawyer’s comments, state Rep. Chris England questioned why Tuscaloosa must fight for Bryce. The city of Birmingham has passed a resolution supporting Bryce’s move to the former Carraway Hospital and has offered $5 million in incentives for the state department of mental health to make the move.

The lobbyist for Carraway, Toby Roth, is the governor’s former chief of staff, and the state is gathering estimates on how much it would cost to move Bryce to Carraway, said state Rep. Alan Harper.

“Why in God’s name would two cities be in a bidding war when it’s the state’s responsibility (to care for the mentally ill) in the first place?” England said. “As far as Tuscaloosa is concerned, we don’t’ have a problem with the university purchasing the property. But if they can’t pay, you walk away and work with what you have.”

The University of Alabama is negotiating with the Alabama Department of Mental Health to purchase the 175-acre property, which would entail building or renovating another facility elsewhere to house the state mental hospital. One possibility that’s been discussed — moving Bryce Hospital to Birmingham — would uproot 650 jobs in Tuscaloosa, a move that local officials maintain would have a drastic impact on the local economy.

The state mental health department’s board of trustees met with Riley at Bryce Hospital on Oct. 8 to discuss an offer from the University of Alabama to purchase the property, which is adjacent to the university campus. It was during that meeting that the board recommended that Riley turn down UA’s $60 million offer. The mental health department estimates it would cost $84 million to build a new 268-bed, state-of-the-art hospital to replace Bryce.

John Houston, the state mental health commissioner, toured the Carraway facility with Riley last month. But Houston told employees Tuesday that he is concerned about the Birmingham facility, including its location and its size. With 600 beds, Carraway is larger than DCH Regional Medical Center.

Harper said he feels that Tuscaloosa has been left out of the decision-making process. Ultimately, he said, the sale of Bryce will be decided by Riley and Houston. “We have been left out, but what is done in the dark will come to the light,” Harper said. “Are these decisions based on funding, or what is best for mental health consumers and Bryce employees?”

Harper said that it was about dollars.

But Sawyer said that no decisions about Bryce’s future have been made and that the state is only exploring all options.

Still, employees and patients’ families said they want to ensure that patient care comes first.

If Bryce is moved to Carraway, the facilities and Norwood neighborhood would not be beneficial to patients with mental illnesses, said Richard Winster, a nurse at Bryce. If the hospital is moved out of Tuscaloosa, the employees will not have the experience and know the patients like the current employees, he added.

Houston was advised by attorneys not to speak at the meeting because of a lawsuit by the city of Tuscaloosa seeking to block Bryce’s sale, but the commissioner spoke anyway.

“Most of these conversations end up about money, but the most important thing is the people,” Houston said.

Linda Nolen, the mother of a Bryce patient, said her son has been treated in Birmingham and Tuscaloosa, but nothing compares to the care he has received at Bryce.

“He’s my heart, and my heart is lying down somewhere at Bryce Hospital tonight,” Nolen said. “Thank you for your wonderful, compassionate care. There are times when you not only took care of my son, but you helped take care of me.”

[ttownfeen]

Gov. Riley can’t move Bryce, city says in suit

“We do not seek to stop the sale of land to the University of Alabama, only to stop relocation of Bryce or Partlow outside of Tuscaloosa and stop privatization of essential mental health services and related relief,” Senior Associate City Attorney Tim Nunnally said in a summary attached to the lawsuit.

The city claims the right to sue because it is a taxpayer of the state and was granted the power to protect the welfare of its residents, some of whom are patients or employees of Bryce and Partlow.

There's a lot more information to be found if you read the whole article. I don't really have a comment - just wanted to share.

[ttownfeen]

University Boulevard to get a facelift

UA will make improvements to University Boulevard between DCH and campus, including the installation of a grassy median. Oddly enough (and sadly), the road won't be repaved, so you can continue to set your clock by the bumps in the concrete on the section of road.

edit: Not sure why I posted this on the discussion thread.

[SpawnOfVulcan]

Originally Posted by ttownfeen

University Boulevard to get a facelift

UA will make improvements to University Boulevard between DCH and campus, including the installation of a grassy median. Oddly enough (and sadly), the road won't be repaved, so you can continue to set your clock by the bumps in the concrete on the section of road.

edit: Not sure why I posted this on the discussion thread.

I'm glad they're finally doing something to fix it. Maybe they'll give the MDB a nice little "Bandie X-ing" pedestrian walkway so that we won't have to risk our lives on Fridays! Haha, either way, this will really enhance to the busiest entrance to the campus.

Btw, don't worry bout it just post it in the UA Updates thread next time.

[ttownfeen]

Super 6 will serve as showcase for Tuscaloosa

Riley asks mental health leaders to consider shifting psychiatric hospital to Birmingham

Talks to move Bryce ramp up

The third article (T-News) is very informative of all the politics that are behind every single government function that occurs in this state. These are people's livelihoods the politicians are wrangling over.

[ttownfeen]

Why is the state giving Mercedes $100m to restore 1,000 that used to be here??

Tuscaloosa gives $10 million incentive

[ttownfeen]

Legislators: Bryce deal close

State officials are working on a deal involving a $22 million bond issue that would facilitate the sale of Bryce Hospital to the University of Alabama, keeping the hospital's services and jobs in Tuscaloosa County, officials said Tuesday

[ttownfeen]

Businesses, improvements spruce up downtown

Downtown Tuscaloosa's nightlife has gotten brighter — literally.

Stand on the corner of Greensboro Avenue and University Boulevard at dusk, and observers will notice the lighted red and white street signs hanging above the boulevard. And then there's the red neon lights that line the roof and come partly down the side of Brown's Corner, a bar and grill that was a popular department store decades ago, built in 1926.

It's all part of the changing face of downtown, an effort by local government and businesses to make downtown more inviting.

[ttownfeen]

Too many vacancies?

New apartments and dorms built this decade have severely weakened the rental market, and more construction means a grim outlook for property owners, according to a market survey.

Overall, one of every 10 rental units is vacant, and the situation has some owners asking the city for stricter measures on future developments.

'Despite record enrollment at the University of Alabama, the overall rental market is weaker than it has been in decades, and possibly at its weakest point ever,' said a report by Rock Apartment Advisors in Birmingham.

The firm was hired by the Home Builders Association of Tuscaloosa to study the rental market in the Tuscaloosa area, including Northport and some non-incorporated areas. The research team surveyed the owners of about 13,000 units in 152 apartment complexes, 14 condominium developments, all public and university housing and 563 rental homes this fall.

[ttownfeen]

Mental Health board to discuss Bryce

The Department of Mental Health Advisory Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet Wednesday to discuss Bryce Hospital, but details of the meeting are not known.

“It’s about continued discussions of Bryce Hospital,” Jeff Emerson, the communications director for Gov. Bob Riley, said Monday.

The Birmingham New is claiming that the meeting will be to make a final decision about the sale.

[ttownfeen]

Well the decision has been made, and it's no surprise:

Mental Health Board votes to negotiate with UA

The DMH will sell the Bryce property to UA and build a new facility on the Partlow campus in Tuscaloosa.

[SpawnOfVulcan]

Best decision, IMO. Keep the jobs in town, and the patients continue to get care from the same physicians that they've had for years.

Plus, it gives the state a chance to maintain the Partlow property so that both out historic psychiatric hospitals can be valued assets to the city and state. I'm looking forward to what UA plans to do with the main building.