9 changes are coming to Birmingham city centre

Twice a month, the City of Birmingham’s Design Review Committee meets to discuss plans to make changes to structures that fall within one of the city’s many historic and commercial revitalization districts. At meetings on June 12 and 26, the RDC approved several changes in or near Birmingham city centre.

The committee looked at downtown and downtown projects that impact iconic buildings, 4th Avenue Historic District, bars and car dealerships.

21 North Street

Signage – 2025 Third Avenue North – A new Master Signage Plan for the Massey Building was presented to the committee. Signage includes a large, internally lit, bronze panel with a white acrylic face, marker signs and vinyl strips along the street-level windows on the east and north facades. Signage is within the permitted square meter. The colors of the awning signage and vinyl strips will match the colors of the tenant brand.

The committee approved as presented.

Birmingham Green

Exterior Renovation – 2015 Second Avenue North – Plans to improve the facade at the Berry Building were presented to the committee. The existing EIFS materials along the first floor will be removed. The brick will be painted to match the existing brick. A black steel display case with windows flush with the facade will be installed. The plans are a return to the original facade. The signage will only include the name of the building in new, individually mounted letters.

The committee approved as presented.

northwest

Construction – 1107 Fifth Avenue North – The committee heard plans to install a new wooden fence and gates to replace a metal fence currently in disrepair. A temporary wooden fence has been erected until plans for the new fence can be prepared for approval and will be removed when construction begins.

The committee approved as presented.

Signage – 1408 Fifth Avenue North – Signage at the former Jim Burke Dodge and Jeep dealership building will be updated to reflect the new ownership. The dimensions will be the same as the existing Jim Burke square footage and will include LED lighting. All patches will be cleaned and painted.

The committee approved as presented.

West

Signage – 1300 Third Avenue North – The former Jim Burke Nissan will update the dealership’s signage to reflect the new ownership. All signage is in compliance with the rules. The existing pole sign will be redone as will the monument sign.

The committee approved as presented.

Fourth Avenue North

Exterior Renovation – 1623 Fourth Avenue North – Renovation plans for a historic building next to the Carver Theater were presented to the committee. The upper part is currently planned for a residence and the ground floor for retail. Updates include restoring the storefront, repainting the building, replacing the second floor windows to look more historic. Proposed colors include a brick red, sand and a gray brown. Committee members expressed concern about some of the plans and requested more information.

The committee tabled the subject with the request for additional details about the paint, windows and the entrance to the dwellings. There was only one recusal.

Midtown

Construction – 1301 First Avenue South – Last seen at the April 24, 2024 meeting presented final approval for plans to build the Container Bar in Parkside. No changes have been made since conceptual approval was given. The new signage will include cutouts in the wall of the high container. The lighting will be soft and indirect through an LED strip mounted in the container.

The committee approved as presented.

Exterior Renovations – 201 Richard Arrington Jr Boulevard South – The committee was presented with a number of facade improvements for the future Bar Tulum. There are two entrances to the space as well as a second tenant space in the building. The entrance to Tulum will face Second Avenue South and have a rolling door. Additional facade improvements include cypress wood detailing, overhead lighting and a steel canopy over the Tulum entrance. Committee members issued a reminder that the signage will need to return, and since it is a multi-tenant building, a Master Signage Plan (MSP) will also need to be submitted.

The committee agreed and reminded the presenter to obtain an MSP template from staff.

Outdoor Improvements – 14 12th Street South – Monday Night Brewing presented plans for improvements to the existing patio. The location is at the end of a dead end and now that the construction of the apartment is complete, they need to upgrade the terrace. A small wooden bridge with a retractable canopy will be added along the railway. The canopy material is a painted galvanized metal. Sod and drainage will be added to the concrete patio, but no landscaping changes are proposed.

The committee approved as presented.

Decisions of the RDC, as noted in the application process, are final. Applicants are responsible for carrying out the plans as submitted and approved. Any deviations from the approved plans cannot be undertaken without returning to the committee for approval.

All images courtesy of City of Birmingham Design Review Committee / Urban Design Division