Followup: CrossPlex Village isn’t all fun and games

Yesterday morning, I wrote about the City Council’s approval of a proposed CrossPlex Village near Five Points West.

Yesterday afternoon, I was able to get in contact with the most visible voice of dissent: the Jefferson County Millennial Democrats.

Speaking with their treasurer, Emma Colburn, I was able to get a more in-depth analysis of why they object to the development approval.

Emma emphasized that the JCMD don’t oppose development in general, but rather how this specific development is being carried out: “we want to put our best foot forward, and we don’t think a two-star hotel really does that.”

The Millennial Democrats want more involvement from local business owners and contractors as opposed to national chains such as the proposed CiCi’s Pizza or Starbucks.

Emma also noted that while 75% of the City of Birmingham is black, there were dishearteningly few black business owners known to be involved in the future construction or operation of the development.

As our conversation was winding down, Emma re-emphasized the JeffCo Millennial Democrats enthusiasm for developing in Ensley itself, just not in the way that was presented to and accepted by the Birmingham City Council.