28 replies to this topic

[kayman]

Major developments in the Entrepreneurial District and 2nd Avenue N.

Apparently, there has been some movement towards in both the Entrepreneurial District and along 2nd Avenue within the City Center.  

The Innovation Depot was the inital spark that popped off a major movement of redevelopment of the Western portion.   Recent developments now includes the new Social Security Administration Building located on the northern end of this part on the edge of Fountain Heights, on-hold project of the Leer Tower redevelopment, the A.G. Gaston Hotel convertion into a Holiday Inn Expess with conference center, and finally the Railroad Park.  A number of business owners are moving their business to locales in this area of the City Center due to the large vacant space of many of the abandoned buildings such as the Acme Building with Magic City Scooter and the relocation of Gallet & Associates from Homewood.
More about the Western Front redevelopment here.

There are also plans for a new nightclub and new grocery market along with other new businesses in the area such as Urban Standard coffee shop and restaurant.  The new nightclub will be called the Rogue and the new market, Gypsy Market will be convienence/grocery store for the neighborhood.  The Rogue will be a restaurant during the day, and convert into a club by nightfall, and should began construction upon receival of city construction permits and county health department appprovals.  All this seems to be spin-off developments form the 2nd Row development that included condos above the Urban Standard, Travel Scene, and Erdreich Architecture, which was all developed by Jeremy Erdreich.  

There are also plans for major road improvements to the 14th Street corridor from UAB all the way to the Entrepreneurial District anticipation of the opening of the Railroad Park along with the redevelopment of the corridor from a warehouse and manufacturing district into a more small business/mixed-used area with more residential dwellings.  Also, there are plans to convert 2nd Avenue North from an one-way street into a two-way corridor to increase more business traffic along the corridor.  

It looks like slight more brisk pace of developments are coming to the City Center.

[bhamsly]

kayman, on Aug 17 2008, 01:18 PM, said:

Apparently, there has been some movement towards in both the Entrepreneurial District and along 2nd Avenue within the City Center.

The Innovation Depot was the inital spark that popped off a major movement of redevelopment of the Western portion. Recent developments now includes the new Social Security Administration Building located on the northern end of this part on the edge of Fountain Heights, on-hold project of the Leer Tower redevelopment, the A.G. Gaston Hotel convertion into a Holiday Inn Expess with conference center, and finally the Railroad Park. A number of business owners are moving their business to locales in this area of the City Center due to the large vacant space of many of the abandoned buildings such as the Acme Building with Magic City Scooter and the relocation of Gallet & Associates from Homewood.
More about the Western Front redevelopment here.

There are also plans for a new nightclub and new grocery market along with other new businesses in the area such as Urban Standard coffee shop and restaurant. The new nightclub will be called the Rogue and the new market, Gypsy Market will be convienence/grocery store for the neighborhood. The Rogue will be a restaurant during the day, and convert into a club by nightfall, and should began construction upon receival of city construction permits and county health department appprovals. All this seems to be spin-off developments form the 2nd Row development that included condos above the Urban Standard, Travel Scene, and Erdreich Architecture, which was all developed by Jeremy Erdreich.

There are also plans for major road improvements to the 14th Street corridor from UAB all the way to the Entrepreneurial District anticipation of the opening of the Railroad Park along with the redevelopment of the corridor from a warehouse and manufacturing district into a more small business/mixed-used area with more residential dwellings. Also, there are plans to convert 2nd Avenue North from an one-way street into a two-way corridor to increase more business traffic along the corridor.

It looks like slight more brisk pace of developments are coming to the City Center.

That's indeed great news. That particular area is pretty underserved, and has so much potential. More projects similar to University House(large apartments and loft buildings for student and others) should be built. A couple of midrising towers on that side of town would be very attractive too. Too bad that Innovation Depot could not have been a little more on ther large scale side, known as Innovation Tower.


There are some great things happening around town, and I hope that things only get better. Many of the areas to the south of I-20/59, and I-20...Crestwood/Eastwood to Southside/Downtown to Oxmoor Valley(in the future).

I saw an illustration for the proposal of 14th Street....I think, and it looked really nice.I will see if I can find that link again.

[kayman]

Urban Art museum takes step forward

The proposed $18M museum dedicated to urban culture and art has finally gained a project design firm in Place Design Studio, LLC.  The museum to be called the Museum of Urban Art, is a decade-long proposal of Charlena Jackson that will be located in the historical 4th Avenue District.  It will be the major boast that will contribute to revitalized the northwestern portion of the City Center along with the area, which as a number of small developments that began to take off in recent years.  The museum will the first of its kind which totally dedicated to exhibition of urban culture and art.  The finish project will be 80,000 square-foot, 5-story facility with exhibition galleries, multiplex theater, and recording studio.  

This looks like a huge deal once it gets off the ground to the area because it will be another sign of the revitalization for the City Center's western part that is very visible to the travelers along I-65.  In addition, a huge addition to the area's art community along with a new tourist attraction.  Birmingham has the potential to be a major tourist hub for a plethora things within the urban and black cultures exposing to the world the many unique and fascinating aspects.

[| BRAVO |]

I had never heard of this project before yesterday.  I'm excited about the Eddie Kendricks collection.  The Temptations are awesome.
I wonder what all the collection will include?

Edited by | BRAVO |, 07 February 2009 - 08:21 AM.

[kayman]

Well, about 2 weeks ago, the Urban Art Museum's designing firm, Place Design Studio, has posted an image of what the place will look like:

[bhamsly]

kayman, on Mar 27 2009, 03:20 PM, said:

Well, about 2 weeks ago, the Urban Art Museum's designing firm, Place Design Studio, has posted an image of what the place will look like:

It's a pretty cool design...where exactly is it going to be located?

Edited by bhamsly, 28 March 2009 - 08:25 PM.

[richyb83]

Smooth design! I can dig it! Nice way to revitalize a neighborhood!!

[kayman]

bhamsly, on Mar 28 2009, 09:25 PM, said:

It's a pretty cool design...where exactly is it going to be located?

Well, it's address is 1610 4th Ave. North, so I'm guessing it going to in between 16th & 15th Streets North in the City Center.

[richyb83]

Downtown hotel, entertainment district win go ahead from Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex board
The Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex board this afternoon approved a resolution that allows the city of Birmingham to move ahead with plans to build a $70 million Westin Hotel and entertainment district downtown. The board approved the measure with a 4-0 vote.

http://blog.al.com/b...tainment_d.html

A rendering of the proposed Westin Hotel