Birmingham's Interim Mayor Carole Smitherman is trying to ensure that city dollars are used wisely.
And that has Smitherman questioning if the city can pay for the $600 million domed stadium project without help from the corporate community.
But BJCC Board President Dr. Clyde Echols believes that request may be unfair.
"I'd like to remind (the Interim Mayor) that the businesses in Birmingham stepped up. They wanted expansion of the civic center when their taxes were raised. That's why they didn't fight the tax increase."
But Jefferson County Commission President Bettye Fine Collins, who also serves on the BJCC Board of Directors says that she understands Smitherman's need to be frugal moving forward.
"The whole world has changed since architects came up with plans. We're living in a different time and Birmingham's in a situation which we faced in the past. They have to worry about a balanced budget."
Smitherman also says that she wants to have some reassurances that the building will not sit vacant.
But Executive Director Jack Fields says that will not be an issue as the biggest problem for the convention center right now is hosting multiple events at once.
"This building will be a very active building. That floor space that we will have... that 160,000 feet of flat floor space will be the central point of use."
As the project stands right now, the city has committed only to pay for the design phase of the project.
By the time that phase is complete next year, the city will have a new mayor and council in place.
At that time the BJCC Board will have a much better idea if construction will ever get underway on the project.
