Legal action surrounding a massive hyperscale data center under construction in Birmingham’s Oxmoor Valley has escalated. Two new lawsuits were filed last week, and a judge has now consolidated three existing cases, alleging the city illegally granted permits for a project located in a mixed‑use zoning district near homes and a school.
Data center lawsuits
The consolidated suit seeks a permanent halt to the development, arguing that the permitting process violated local zoning rules and failed to consider the impact on nearby residents. Plaintiffs include neighborhood groups and a local homeowner association, emphasizing concerns about traffic, noise, and the proximity to an elementary school.
City officials maintain that the project complies with all applicable regulations and promises economic benefits, including jobs and increased tax revenue. The case is expected to move forward in the Jefferson County circuit court.
Statewide political proposal
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Doug Jones announced Wednesday that, if elected, he will work with the Alabama Legislature to introduce a constitutional amendment that would reorganize state government, expand the lieutenant governor’s powers, and require the governor and lieutenant governor to run on a joint ticket, mirroring the presidential‑vice‑presidential model. He was joined at the press conference by Phillip Ensler, the party’s nominee for lieutenant governor.
The proposal aims to create clearer lines of succession and give the lieutenant governor a more active role in policy‑making. Critics argue it could shift power dynamics in the state’s executive branch.
Other local headlines
Jefferson County Probate Judge Yashiba Blanchard, currently suspended, filed a response denying every allegation in a 120‑page state complaint that accuses her of bullying and intimidation. Her legal team argues the complaint attempts to overturn her election.
In a commemorative moment, civil‑rights veteran Gwendolyn Sanders Gamble toured the newly opened Sixteenth Street Baptist Church Education and Visitor Center, describing the experience as a “joy in my heart” and reaffirming the community’s commitment to preserving the legacy of the 1963 movement.
Meanwhile, Coca‑Cola United highlighted its corporate heritage during a tour of its new Birmingham facility, with corporate director of community and stakeholder engagement Pam Cook noting the company’s longstanding ties to the region.
These stories reflect a busy week of legal, political, and community developments shaping Birmingham and the broader Alabama landscape.
Original reporting: BirminghamWatch — read the source article.
