8 changes are coming to Birmingham’s iconic neighbourhoods

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. This column summarizes DRC actions in activity from 12 June to 26 June 2024 with projects grouped by type and location.

At meetings in June, the RDC considered changes in neighborhoods east and southeast of downtown — Lakeview, Forest Park and Avondale Park — as well as a substantial project in Five Points West.

Forest Park

Residential – Plans for a residential project to extend a retaining wall parallel to the street were presented to the commission on June 12. The stucco material will match the existing entry walls that protect the stairs. The neighborhood committee approved the project without conditions. No landscaping was proposed at the time, but will be added in the future. Committee members had many questions about the height of the wall, how well it connected to the existing wall, and requested more detailed drawings.

The committee tabled the matter until detailed elevation drawings could be submitted for review.

The retaining wall request came back to the commission on June 26 with drawings of the front elevation of the retaining wall.

The design includes a sloping stucco knee wall to connect the new retaining wall with an existing stone wall. In addition, a line of pavers will be installed between the street and the new retaining wall. The committee discussed the additional knee tie wall and its materials. The neighborhood committee previously approved the project as presented; however, the town committee opted to add an additional requirement that the knee wall match the stone wall materials instead of the stucco wall.

The committee approved with the condition that the knee wall be built with stone instead of stucco. Changing knee wall materials required a 2/3 vote to overturn the district, and the RDC vote was unanimous.

Residential – Demolition and reconstruction of an existing sunroom was presented to the committee on June 12. The new construction will match the house, including a new stone wall on the front facade to match the columns on the existing house. The side wall will be painted with resistant sheet. The neighborhood committee approved as presented.

The committee approved as presented.

Residential – On June 26, a project to demolish an old addition and reconfigure a roof on a historic Forest Park home was presented. The original 1923 French-style residence was updated twice after its original construction—once in the 1940s to extend the roof over the side wing and again in 2005 to add a second, one-story, hipped roof. Plans include bringing the roof back to match the building’s original structure and style, demolishing the shed roof addition, and reconfiguring the roof over the side wing to a compressed hip-style roof to help with drainage. The neighborhood committee approved the project without conditions.

The committee approved.

View to the lake

Exterior renovation – 3004 Fourth Avenue South – Plans to update a former machine shop to office space were presented to the committee on June 12. Sidewalk, landscape and landscaping will be updated and the north elevation will be restored. The front facade will revert to a bronze display case. Windows will be added to the west facade and the firewall on the east facade will be repainted. The coping will be replaced with a matching color. An exit from a previously adjacent building will be removed. Planned elms will need to be replaced with a species from the approved tree list. Signage approval request has been removed from the presentation.

The commission approved with the condition that the species of trees be changed.

New construction – 2817 Fourth Avenue South – At the June 12 meeting, the RDC also heard a presentation about building a new condominium block on a now-vacant lot (demolition was approved at the April 24 meeting). The condominium is proposed to have 18 units, private parking outside the alley, some covered parking. Materials will include EIFS and brick. The complex will be residential only, not mixed use. Concept plans did not include signage or lighting, both of which will return for approval. The architects have requested conceptual approval with the final plans for the return.

The committee approved as presented.

Renovation – 3115 Third Avenue South – The June 12 meeting included a request to update the facade for the site formerly occupied by Civil Ax. The windows will be lowered a foot, the single door entrance will be replaced with double doors, the damage to the brick will need to be repaired and resurfaced, the existing aluminum strip will be repainted in the same color, and the lights and the former tenant. the signaling will be removed. Committee members raised concerns about brick painting and asked for any updates to the natural brick return for approval.

The Commission approved as presented with the paint and signage conditions to return.

Avondale Park

New construction – 4002 Fourth Avenue South – Redeemer Community Church is expanding its campus and presented concept plans to the committee on June 26. The neighborhood committee also reviewed the plans and approved without conditions. Homes in the area as well as the main church building are considered contributing structures to the historic district, with the two existing annexes eligible for contributing status if the district’s years of significance are updated. As drawn, the concepts for the two new buildings, a pavilion and a canopy structure, conflict with the architectural styles of the original church and the annex, which also conflict with each other architecturally. The committee discussed these disparate styles and how this new project has the opportunity to unite architectural languages ​​and create a more cohesive campus for the church.

The committee approved the initial concept on the condition that the project come back with ideas about a more cohesive architectural style for the campus.

Five Points West

New construction – 2340 Crossplex Boulevard – On June 26, representatives of the new Birmingham Family Fun Center unveiled plans for the construction of the new multi-activity complex across from the Birmingham Crossplex. The plans include renovating a portion of a 15-acre site formerly used as Birmingham International Raceway. The official entrance to the complex will face an existing fountain at the roundabout and a secondary entrance to the parking lot closer to the existing pond.

The complex will include an ice rink, food court, bowling alley, event space, e-sports arena, outdoor play space and pondside park. The designers reviewed the historic character of the surrounding area and used the old structures of the Ensley Steel Works as inspiration. Exterior finishes include whitewashed brick, curtain walls, perforated metal, skylight systems, cement board, hipped roofs and tile. Portions of the sidewalks will have large decorative pavers, and the rest of the sidewalks will be cast concrete. Staff noted that the signage package will need a variance from the zoning.

The committee approved with the condition that landscaping, signage and lighting go to the committee for separate approval.

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