City approves $175,000 in renovations for Airbus supplier offices

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Airbus is expected to start construction in Mobile in about a month. But before that happens, the city said there is some work to be done.

City Council voted to spend $175,000 towards building renovations on Brookley Areoplex that will soon be occupied by an Airbus supplier.

 Mayor Sam Jones said revenue generated from the recent sales tax increase will be paying for the renovations.

"Providing them office space is part of the agreement the initial agreement for Airbus,” Jones said.

Jones also said proposals may be moving through the city council agenda faster than usual because of the April construction start date.

But Councilwoman Bess Rich said she does not like fast turnaround time. She chose not to vote on the renovation proposal.

"I was caught by surprise,” Rich said.

Council members were informed about the proposal Friday, February 23. Rich believes there was not enough time between the proposal introduction and Tuesday’s vote. 

"Unless it is an emergency, I’ve never voted for funds that go in on such short notice,” Rich said.

Once Airbus is finished with the space the city plans on making it an incubator office, allowing some aerospace-related industries to use the office space at a lower cost.