Vestavia Hills City Council Allocates Funds for School Renovation, Deferring East Side Library Construction

The plan to build a new library in the eastern part of Vestavia Hills has been paused once again.

In September, the City Council voted to allocate $9 million for artificial turf and renovations at the Liberty Park athletic complex. This decision came after the council analyzed city needs and determined that a $6 million upfront contribution to the Vestavia Hills school system was a higher priority. The school funds will help build and renovate arts and athletic facilities at Vestavia Hills High School.

A proposal to construct a library next to the Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex had been circulating since 2025. The project was estimated to cost $9.2 million, with $7 million coming from public money. Residents of Liberty Park and library officials had supported the plan, but the competing financial demands of the school system changed the city’s budget calculations.

Councilwoman Kimberly Cook, a resident of Liberty Park and long-time advocate for the east side library, acknowledged that the school request influenced the decision. Cook stated that the city regretted giving up capital money for the schools but believed the investment was necessary for students. She noted that the school system is struggling financially after a 9.8 mill property tax increase failed in 2023. Cook said the city’s support for the schools places other city projects at a disadvantage.

City Manager Jeff Downes confirmed that the city plans to borrow up to $46 million in debt for fiscal 2027. However, he stated that all of those funds are already allocated, leaving no money available for the library construction. Instead, the council voted in early October to commission a study to determine the specific needs of a library or community center in eastern Vestavia.

The study will be conducted by Williams Blackstock Architects at a cost of approximately $63,500. It will include conceptual designs, floor plans, and cost estimates. The architects will also use data from the city’s biennial community survey, which is being conducted this fall. The council expects to have survey results in January, with the final report ready for the strategic planning meetings in February 2027.

Taneisha Tucker, director of the Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest, said past surveys indicate that residents in the east want children’s spaces, meeting areas, and technology offerings. She envisions a facility with a strong collection for children 11 and younger, a dedicated space for teens, and programs for the entire community. Currently, the library offers outreach events in Liberty Park and Cahaba Heights, but these must be held outdoors because there is no public indoor space. Tucker believes that offering a place for virtual meetings would also be beneficial.

Jimmy Bartlett, an emeritus board member who served from 2012 to 2022, emphasized the convenience of a local facility. He noted that his daughter-in-law spends 25 to 30 minutes driving from Liberty Park to the main library. Bartlett said his seven-year-old grandson is unable to participate in the same programs his own children enjoyed at a nearby library. Susan Swagler, vice chairwoman of the library board, described the current outreach efforts as intentional and joyful but difficult to manage without a permanent indoor location. She argued that modern libraries serve as community spaces for learning and technology classes, not just book repositories.

Councilwoman Ali Pilcher questioned whether a second library is in high demand and whether the Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex is the best site. She noted that some residents in Cahaba Heights drive longer to the complex than to the main library. Swagler countered that the complex is less stressful to reach and is already a destination for families with children involved in athletics. Mayor Ashley Curry has pointed out that the complex is close to local schools, allowing children to walk to a library after classes. Elise Bodenheimer, president of the Friends of the Vestavia Hills Library, said the upcoming study will provide the necessary data on size, cost, and operations to guide future decisions.