By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – Alabaster’s residents soon will have a new outdoor venue to enjoy, as the city is partnering with Shelby County to construct a large new pavilion near the Alabaster Senior Center.

During its July 23 meeting, the City Council voted to approve multiple agreements related to the project.

City leaders agreed to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the county to split the cost of the new venue, which will be built just west of the Senior Center off Seventh Street Southwest.

Through the agreement, the city will pay a total of $25,000 and the county will pay a total of $25,000 on the project, according to the documents approved by the council. Alabaster will cover the entire $50,000 cost of the project, and the county will reimburse the city for half of the cost, council members said.

During the meeting, the council also voted to enter into an agreement with Pickett Construction to build the pavilion. Through the agreement, the company agreed to a 90-day construction schedule, and the cost of the construction itself will not exceed $46,000.

The remainder of the project cost will come from the design phase, which will be handled by the Turner Batson architectural firm at a cost not to exceed $4,000.

The new pavilion will be constructed on the site of the former outdoor gym area next to the Senior Center. The workout equipment has been moved to make room for the new addition.