North Birmingham residents will have a chance to help identify properties that could be restored, reused, or redeveloped through a new City of Birmingham initiative.
Community Meeting Planned at North Birmingham Library
The City of Birmingham will host a community meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 29, at the North Birmingham Library, 2501 31st Ave. North.
Residents can learn more about the North Birmingham Brownfields Assessment Grant Program during the meeting. The project team will also be available to answer questions and hear ideas from the community.
The program focuses on underused, abandoned, or potentially contaminated properties. Community feedback will help guide which sites receive attention.
What Are Brownfield Properties?
Brownfields are properties that may be difficult to reuse because of potential environmental concerns. These sites can include former industrial properties, gas stations, dry cleaners, and auto repair shops.
Abandoned homes, shopping centers, schools, churches, and former mining sites can also qualify. While these properties may face redevelopment challenges, assessments can help determine whether they have potential for new uses.
The City says the program could support future housing, retail, recreation, community services, and job opportunities.
Residents Can Help Identify Future Redevelopment Sites
The program is funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Initial priority locations include the former U.S. Pipe and Foundry site and North Birmingham Elementary.
However, additional properties could be considered. Residents can recommend sites they believe should be investigated through the community engagement process.
The assessments may also help with reuse planning and economic development. In turn, this could make it easier to attract investment to properties that have remained vacant or underused.
Community participation will play an important role in shaping the program. North Birmingham residents are encouraged to attend the September 29 meeting and share their priorities for the neighborhood.
For more information, residents can contact [email protected] or [email protected].
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