Irondale, Alabama sees end in sight for dispute with Trinity medical center

Irondale's multimillion-dollar dispute with Trinity Medical Center may be concluded as soon as a month and likely without a court battle, city officials said after a closed City Council meeting with six lawyers Friday night.

"We are hoping for weeks rather than years," said city attorney Greg Morris. "We are hopeful a settlement can be reached."

An offer from Trinity is already on the table, although lawyers have not said what it involves. Irondale contends it is owed millions of dollars for preparing a site for Trinity at Interstate 459 and Grants Mill Road. The hospital pulled out when Birmingham offered greater financial incentives.

Trinity's last public argument was that it was not required to build the hospital and owes Irondale only lease payments on the land of $60,000 a month until 2022.

"Discussions with the city of Irondale were ongoing this week and it is our desire to reach a reasonable resolution of this matter," according to a statement released by a Trinity spokeswoman Friday night.

Irondale borrowed $32.5 million to prepare the site for the project. It has not yet spent all that money but is paying interest on it.

The council meeting was private, as is legal in certain matters involving litigation.

The hospital now plans a move to the half-built HealthSouth hospital on U.S. 280.