Birmingham mayor Randall Woodfin touched off a controversy, by calling for renaming the Crossplex after former mayor and convicted felon Larry Langford. Woodfin said the renaming would be a fitting tribute to Langford's contributions to the community. But critics said it would send a terrible message, noting that Langford was convicted of taking more than $235,000 in bribes, in the Jefferson County sewer scandal. Critics said the corruption led to higher sewer rates that county residents will pay for many years to come. Langford, a Democrat, was serving a 15 year prison sentence when he was released in late December, due to failing health. He died in January at the age of 72.