William A. Bell Sr. (born June 1, 1949) is an American politician who served as the 33rd mayor of Birmingham, Alabama, from 2010 to 2017. He had previously held the office on an interim basis in 1999.[2][1] Prior to that, he had served several terms on the Birmingham City Council. He is a member of the Democratic Party.
Bell was first elected to the Birmingham City Council in November 1979, and in 1985 became the first African-American selected to serve as council president.[3]
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Bell was the only mayor in the city's history that brought in over 2 billion dollars of business development for Birmingham and was instrumental in overseeing the renaissance of Birmingham with projects that brought international recognition including the World Games, the Senior Games, Railroad Park, Regions Baseball Field, worked with President Obama and UNESCO in naming Birmingham a World Heritage site and National Park that also recognized Birmingham's Civil Rights History. Other Civil Rights historical landmarks that are included in Bell's visionary project include the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, Bethel Baptist Church, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, the A.G. Gaston Motel and several other historical sites. Bell also led in the development of the Birmingham Sports Crossplex and over $300 million dollars in capital improvements for the Birmingham City School System and the University of Alabama in Birmingham, in spite of coming into office with a $77 million dollar deficit left by the prior administration. Bell grew the city of Birmingham reserves to over $350 million dollars when he left office.
On December 15, 2015, Bell was involved in a physical altercation with Councillor Marcus Lundy during a city council meeting. Both men were treated at a local hospital for minor injuries.[4] Two days after the altercation, Bell and Lundy publicly apologized in a press conference.
Facing re-election, Bell finished second in the primary election on August 22, 2017 among twelve candidates and advanced to the general election. On October 3, 2017, Bell was defeated by former Birmingham Board of Education President Randall Woodfin.[5]
After his loss, Bell appeared onstage at the Magic City Classic alongside T.I. and declared that Woodfin would take Birmingham "to the motherfucking top." Woodfin jokingly referenced the incident during his inaugural address a month later. Bell notably did not attend Woodfin's inauguration.[6]
^ abEdgemon, Erin (November 28, 2017). "'This is a new day at city hall:' Randall Woodfin sworn in as Birmingham mayor". The Birmingham News. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
^. Birmingham Alabama official website. Archived from the original on January 3, 2011. Retrieved January 16, 2011.
^Prickett, Sam (November 21, 2017). ""You Have to Follow Your Own Path:" Mayor Bell Reflects on 40 Years of Public Service". BirminghamWatch. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
^"Birmingham mayor William Bell, councilman Marcus Lundy taken to hospital after fight". al.com. December 15, 2015.
^"Birmingham mayoral race: Randall Woodfin defeats William Bell; live election updates". October 4, 2017.
^Prickett, Sam (November 28, 2017). "Woodfin Takes Office as Mayor, Promises Spirit of Collaboration at City Hall". BirminghamWatch. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
^Crocker, Steve (July 21, 2015). "Birmingham Mayor William Bell meets with Vatican officials". WBRC FOX6. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
william, bell, colorado, william, abraham, bell, this, article, includes, list, general, references, lacks, sufficient, corresponding, inline, citations, please, help, improve, this, article, introducing, more, precise, citations, december, 2020, learn, when, . For the William A Bell of Colorado see William Abraham Bell This article includes a list of general references but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations December 2020 Learn how and when to remove this message William A Bell Sr born June 1 1949 is an American politician who served as the 33rd mayor of Birmingham Alabama from 2010 to 2017 He had previously held the office on an interim basis in 1999 2 1 Prior to that he had served several terms on the Birmingham City Council He is a member of the Democratic Party William A BellBell in 201533rd mayor of BirminghamIn office January 26 2010 November 27 2017 1 Preceded byRoderick RoyalSucceeded byRandall WoodfinPersonal detailsBorn 1949 06 01 June 1 1949 age 74 Birmingham Alabama U S Political partyDemocratic Contents 1 Political career 1 1 Birmingham City Council 1 2 Mayor 2 Personal life 3 ReferencesPolitical career editBirmingham City Council edit Bell was first elected to the Birmingham City Council in November 1979 and in 1985 became the first African American selected to serve as council president 3 Mayor edit Bell was the only mayor in the city s history that brought in over 2 billion dollars of business development for Birmingham and was instrumental in overseeing the renaissance of Birmingham with projects that brought international recognition including the World Games the Senior Games Railroad Park Regions Baseball Field worked with President Obama and UNESCO in naming Birmingham a World Heritage site and National Park that also recognized Birmingham s Civil Rights History Other Civil Rights historical landmarks that are included in Bell s visionary project include the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church Bethel Baptist Church the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute the A G Gaston Motel and several other historical sites Bell also led in the development of the Birmingham Sports Crossplex and over 300 million dollars in capital improvements for the Birmingham City School System and the University of Alabama in Birmingham in spite of coming into office with a 77 million dollar deficit left by the prior administration Bell grew the city of Birmingham reserves to over 350 million dollars when he left office On December 15 2015 Bell was involved in a physical altercation with Councillor Marcus Lundy during a city council meeting Both men were treated at a local hospital for minor injuries 4 Two days after the altercation Bell and Lundy publicly apologized in a press conference Facing re election Bell finished second in the primary election on August 22 2017 among twelve candidates and advanced to the general election On October 3 2017 Bell was defeated by former Birmingham Board of Education President Randall Woodfin 5 After his loss Bell appeared onstage at the Magic City Classic alongside T I and declared that Woodfin would take Birmingham to the motherfucking top Woodfin jokingly referenced the incident during his inaugural address a month later Bell notably did not attend Woodfin s inauguration 6 Personal life editBell is a Catholic Christian 7 References edit a b Edgemon Erin November 28 2017 This is a new day at city hall Randall Woodfin sworn in as Birmingham mayor The Birmingham News Retrieved November 28 2017 Office of the Mayor Birmingham Alabama official website Archived from the original on January 3 2011 Retrieved January 16 2011 Prickett Sam November 21 2017 You Have to Follow Your Own Path Mayor Bell Reflects on 40 Years of Public Service BirminghamWatch Retrieved April 13 2020 Birmingham mayor William Bell councilman Marcus Lundy taken to hospital after fight al com December 15 2015 Birmingham mayoral race Randall Woodfin defeats William Bell live election updates October 4 2017 Prickett Sam November 28 2017 Woodfin Takes Office as Mayor Promises Spirit of Collaboration at City Hall BirminghamWatch Retrieved April 13 2020 Crocker Steve July 21 2015 Birmingham Mayor William Bell meets with Vatican officials WBRC FOX6 Retrieved February 24 2021 Political offices Preceded byRichard Arrington Jr Mayor of Birmingham Alabama Interim 1999 Succeeded byBernard Kincaid Preceded byRoderick Royal Interim Mayor of Birmingham Alabama2010 2017 Succeeded byRandall Woodfin Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title William A Bell amp oldid 1212404078, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
