MAPS

MAPS (the Metropolitan Area Projects Strategy) was a 1998 proposal to fund a variety of capital, transit and development projects in the Birmingham Metropolitan Area with a $525 million sale of bonds to be paid off by an increase in sales and lodging taxes, which were projected to add up to as much as $697 million.

A self-governing agency, the Jefferson County Progress Authority was created by the Alabama legislature (Act 98-127) to oversee the funds and a special referendum was set for August 4. The proposal was opposed by a group calling itself "RAPS" (Real Accountability, Progress, and Solutions".

Voters defeated the proposal by a vote of 57 to 43 percent. The turnout was the largest since the 1992 presidential election. 96,490 voters, mostly in the suburbs surrounding Birmingham, opposed the project. 71,495 voters, mostly inside Birmingham, supported it at the polls.

Projects

The MAPS proposal outlined 14 specific projects that would be funded by the bond sale. The following list is ranked by popularity according to polling done in July 1998:

1. McWane Center
2. Domed convention center
3. High-tech library system
4. Birmingham Zoo expansion
5. Downtown improvements
6. Regional transporation hub
7. Light rail system
8. Vulcan renovations
9. Alabama Theatre and Lyric Theatre renovations
10. Walking and biking trails
11. Swimming and aquatic center

MAPS steering committee

The MAPS proposal was created by a steering committee made up of Larry Lemak, Richard Scrushy, Elmer Harris, Larry Striplin, Mary Buckelew, Richard Arrington, and Jabo Waggoner. The campaign for public support was headed by Donald Hess. The committee and its campaign chair volunteered their time and effort. Rick Horrow, a facility development consultant with the National Football League was hired to assist their efforts.

Revenues

The basic mechanism for repaying the bond debt was a proposed 3/4 cent increase in county sales taxes, which would be repealed once the debt was paid (estimated to take 14 to 19 years). Residents aged 65 or older could apply for a refund of the 3/4 cent sales tax. An additional 1/4 cent sales tax was earmarked for public transit, and was not subject to repeal or refunds.

Campaign

Supporters

• The "MAPS Victory Committee", the official campaign arm of the steering committee, raised $1 million to support a media campaign for the MAPS proposal. About 40% of that was spent on a half-hour "infomercial" which aired on local television. Significant contributors included:
  • Alabama Power ($100,000)
  • BellSouth ($100,000)
  • HealthSouth ($100,000)
  • AmSouth Bank ($100,000)
  • SouthTrust Bank ($100,000)
  • Brasfield & Gorrie ($60,000)
  • BE&K ($55,000)
  • McWane Inc ($50,000)
  • Sonat ($25,000)
  • Compass Bank ($25,000)
  • Coca-Cola Bottling Co. ($25,000)
  • Proffitt's ($25,000)
  • Hoar Construction ($15,000)
  • Mayer Electric ($10,000)
  • Regions Bank ($10,000)
  • Torchmark ($10,000)
  • Drummond Companies ($10,000)
  • Donald Hess ($10,000)
  • Bruno Event Team ($10,000)
  • Energen ($10,000)
• A Political Action Committee, the Citizens for the Future of Jefferson County collected nearly $139,000 in contributions supporting the MAPS campaign. Significant donors included:
  • Bill Harbert Construction ($60,000)
  • Vulcan Materials ($25,000)
  • Colonial Properties Trust ($10,000)
• The Birmingham City Council voted 4-3 to support MAPS.
• The Birmingham Museum of Art board unanimously endorsed MAPS.
• Birmingham School System superintendent Johnny Brown, Jefferson County superintendent Bruce Wright and Alabama Education Association Executive Secretary Paul Hubbert all supported the proposal.
• David Bronner
• Art Clarkson

Opponents

• RAPS was headed by Jimmy Blake
• The Adamsville City Council, Hueytown City Council, Pleasant Grove City Council and Trussville City Council all passed resolutions opposing MAPS.
• The Project LEAP (Legal Evaluation and Action Project), founded by Ronald E. Jackson and Kamau Afrika, filed suit to block the special election.

Polls

Polls taken by Southern Opinion Research during the campaign showed that most residents supported the MAPS project, but that those most likely to vote were inclined to oppose it.

References

• "Just the FAQs on MAPS: Who would control the money?" (August 2, 1998) Birmingham News.