By Alabama Public Radio
Birmingham, AL – The city of Birmingham is planning to spend $900,000 starting in 2008 to help build a $15 million visitor center and museum at Sloss Furnaces. The Sloss Master Site Plan was prepared in 2002. It calls for the construction of a 30,000-square-foot visitor center and museum with 6,000 square feet of exhibit space near the west end of the site. Officials announced Monday at a finance committee meeting that the city intends to come up with $300,000 for the project in 2008, 2009 and 2010. The council will vote on the expenditure at its meeting Tuesday. Acting City Finance Director Michael Johnson says the money will come from future bond funds. He says the $900,000 is part of a total package of $5 million. Sloss had delayed breaking ground on the center and museum while awaiting the city's decision.