Special to the Times
Birmingham city officials, neighborhood officers and residents broke ground this week at the Birmingham CrossPlex Village facility, a sports destination venue, meeting facility and host of sporting events associated with the 2021 World Games.
“This is an exciting day for the Five Points West Community and an opportunity to add to the success of CrossPlex Village, while also providing significant minority employment and growth opportunities,” Mayor William Bell said. “We strive to create job opportunities for minorities . . . and establish services that otherwise are not available in low-income communities with a significant minority population.”
Birmingham City Council President Pro Tem Steven Hoyt said, “The CrossPlex in itself has been a factor of driving global interests to the heart of the western community, and it’s important that our citizens cash in on the benefits of these new developments.”
Hoyt said he’s optimistic about the numerous professional development opportunities through the CrossPlex Village project especially those geared toward educating and developing young adults.
“Our youth are our future business owners, employers, managers,” he said. “We have to constantly meet them where they are and help develop their character through opportunities such as the Youth Development Leadership Program offered by Starbucks. I’m beyond excited to witness the changes and growth that our communities will see because of this.”
Hoyt joined Mayor Bell, developer Bob Nesbitt, and neighborhood officers from the Five Points West Community for the groundbreaking of the Comfort Inn and Suites and Starbucks portion of the CrossPlex Village Development, which are expected to employ residents of the surrounding neighborhoods.
“It’s important that our residents take advantage of the numerous employment opportunities that come with revitalizing our communities,” said Hoyt.
CrossPlex Village is home to the fastest indoor hydraulic tracks in the world in addition to an Olympic size swimming pool, a nine-volleyball court venue, a 5,000-seat basketball arena and a platform to develop additional sport venues.
