Birmingham to tear down old Hotel

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — The city of Birmingham is spending $750,000 to get rid of a downtown eyesore. The council this week approved spending the money to demolish an old hotel that's visible to motorists driving through the city on Interstate 65. The building was partially demolished after a fire in July, and now the rest of the work is supposed to be done by early 2014. The city has been working for years to get rid of the old hotel to remove blight and allow for new development. Previously known by names including Sheraton and Ramada Inn, the hotel was condemned in 2010.