ITEM 1
The Council voted unanimously to approve a rezoning case, opening the door for a new Jack’s Restaurant to be constructed in the Huffman Neighborhood.
The move comes after residents and Huffman Neighborhood Association leaders opposed a previous effort to rezone the property that would have allowed a car wash to be built near the entrance to the residential area. The lot is located adjacent to the Huffman Baptist Church.
“We came back and worked with the Huffman Baptist Church leadership to find a solution that would work for everyone,” Ted Debro, Huffman Neighborhood Association President said. “I think the Council’s decision to not approve the carwash really showed how government can work with our neighborhoods and we want to thank you for that.”
The new Jack’s will have 68 seats and will feature a covered outdoor dining area with rocking chairs.
Councilor Hunter Williams, chair of the Economic Development Committee, said, “We have 99 Neighborhood Associations and the leadership of those all look very different. I think Mr. Debro’s strong leadership is a testament to what this neighborhood is able to accomplish by getting the right business in there that works for everyone. This shows that persistence and leadership pays off.”
Councilor Clinton Woods, who represents the district, also applauded the efforts of neighborhood leaders. “After the original project was reject, everyone continued to work together to find a solution that everyone would be happy with. This is a great example of how neighborhoods, community partners and developers can work together to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard.”
Here is the item as it appeared on Tuesday’s agenda:
An Ordinance “TO FURTHER AMEND THE ZONING DISTRICT MAP OF THE CITY OF BIRMINGHAM” (Case No. ZAC2023-00008) to change zone district boundaries from D-2 Single Family Residential District to QC-2 Qualified General Commercial District, filed by Brian Harris, applicant, representing the owner, Huffman Baptist Church, for property located at 9701 Parkway East and situated in the NE¼ of Section 36, Township 16-S, Range 2-West, and the hearing of all interested parties. [Second Reading] (Submitted by Councilor Abbott, Chair, Planning and Zoning Committee) (Recommended by the Z.A.C. and the Planning and Zoning Committee)**
ITEM 25
The Council unanimously approved an item for one of Council President Pro Tem Crystal Smitherman’s ARPA Projects – sidewalk infrastructure improvements for her district totaling $150,590.00 in the federally allocated funds.
Following the passage of the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021, each Council district received $3 million in funds to distribute to projects in their districts.
“This is another one of our amazing ARPA projects that we have moving. I’m really excited about this because it will be improving the sidewalk infrastructure in West End,” Council President Pro Tem Smitherman said. “One of these sidewalks is right where Hemphill Elementary is located. I think it’s really important that we have sidewalks where our kids are walking to school and that we maintain those.”
Those sidewalk projects are as follows:
Cotton Ave. from 12th Street SW to 11th Street SW – Both sides
Cotton Ave. from 11th Street SW to 10th Street SW – South side only
12th Street SW from Cotton Ave to McMillian – Both sides
12th Street SW from Tuscaloosa Ave. to Cotton Ave. – West side only
Cotton Ave from 13th Street SW to 12th Street SW – North side only
Last week, Councilor Smitherman allocated ARPA funds to two important community-based initiatives: No More Martyrs DBA Black Women’s Mental Health Institute and The Common Thread Community.
The former organization focuses on providing free mental health services for qualified residents in the district. Councilor Smitherman supported this effort with $300,000 in federal ARPA funds.
“It is crucial that we come together as a society to address the need for more mental health services in our communities. For too long there has been a stigma around seeking help. By fostering awareness, mentorship, and creating safe environments, we can strive towards a better future for our residents who need this kind of care and I’m honored to able to provide this support,” Smitherman said.
The Common Thread Community initiative will provide services to the City by supporting 10-15 new small business by expanding its existing Cultural Center in the Titusville Project (“the Project”) through the redevelopment, rehabilitation, and enhancement of Building 2, located on the existing premises at 222 6th Avenue SW, Birmingham, into 15,000 sq. ft. of additional office collaborating space for a totaled combined office collaborating space of 60,000 sq. ft. Councilor Smitherman supported this project with $100,000 from her ARPA funds.
ITEM 19
Continuing the efforts to attract and incentivize more affordable housing developments in the City, the Council approved a grant application for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for $10 million to remove barriers for housing opportunities.
The federal government has recognized the need to help local municipalities remove barriers to affordable housing construction, including construction costs, maintenance and sustainability. This grant in particular is will focus on critical components that are a challenge for the City of Birmingham in this regard.
This includes reducing the time it takes to develop affordable housing, that process can create a barrier for would-be developers. The grant funding would help streamline these efforts, according to City officials. The grant funding would also be utilized to bolster local agencies that are working to provide wrap-around services for homeless residents as well as low-income families.
“Access to affordable housing is one of the biggest issues we face in every one of our districts,” Council President Pro Tem Smitherman said. “These grant opportunities, especially ones that don’t require a local match are crucial to our efforts to help get more affordable housing inventory here. This will help our efficiencies and build pathways to more developments, hopefully not just in one or two areas but across the entire city.”
Here is the item as it appeared on Tuesday’s agenda:
A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute any and all documents
required for the City to complete a grant with the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Community
Planning and Development Pathways to Removing Obstacles to
Housing (PRO Housing) in an amount of up to $10,000,000.00 to identify
and remove barriers to affordable housing production and preservation
with no matching funds due from the City and authorizing the Mayor to
take any and all actions and execute such documents as are appropriate
and necessary to accept and expend the grant funds on behalf of the City
in accordance with the grant documents. (Submitted by the City Attorney)
(Recommended by the Mayor and the Budget and Finance Committee)
A LOOK AHEAD:
Councilor Carol Clarke will be hosting a free Blues in the Ballpark concert series at historic Rickwood Field on Saturday, October 7th.
This is a great opportunity for residents and families to step back in time to the soulful rhythms of the past as the legendary baseball stadium is transformed into a good old-fashioned Blues joint. There will be performances by Ms. Johnnie and the Jammers, Charles “Sugar Harp” Burroughs, Jose Ramirez, “Hurricane Elaine” Hudson, and many more.
The concert is free and open to the public, however, no outside food and beverages will be allowed inside the stadium. Food trucks and vendors will be on hand and attendees will be able to bring chars and blankets to watch the shows (the covered stands will also be available for seating). The music and festivities start at 1 p.m. and go until 6:30 p.m.
“There is nothing that’s uniquely American as Blues and Baseball and we wanted to take this opportunity to marry those two things together with this event,” Councilor Carol Clarke said. “I think that Blues, which is one of our greatest contributions to the world, has been under represented here and I’m looking forward to everyone coming together and enjoying it in a very unique venue.
“We owe a great deal of credit and gratitude to the Friends of Rickwood Field who have acted as stewards for this incredible, historic facility and who have partnered with us for this event. I’d also like to thank the Magic City Blues Society for all their hard work to help make this possible.”
Following the concert on Saturday, October 7th, Rickwood Field will be undergoing a series of renovations leading up to next year’s MLB game on June 20th.
Don't miss this chance to be a part of history as we bring the Blues back to the 113-year-old stadium that’s hosted players like Jackie Robinson and Satchel Paige.
Stay tuned for more exciting announcements and sneak peeks as we count down to the Blues event of the year!