The final plans for Alagasco’s new 14th Street center were approved by the Design Review Committee.
Twice a month, the city of Birmingham’s Design Review Committee convenes to discuss plans to make alterations to structures that fall within one of the city’s many historic and commercial revitalization districts. This column summarizes recent DRC activity, with projects grouped by type and location. This edition of Design Review recaps the DRC meeting from August 13, 2014.
Commercial Projects
Birmingham Green
A new restaurant will be opening at the BBVA Compass Financial Center building (501 20th Street North). The exterior renovations include a patio that would cover the existing grass area. The committee needed more information on what the front will look like due to the project’s impact on 20th Street North.
Status: Tabled.
Downtown West
Final design plans for the Alagasco Operations Center (14 14th Street North) were presented to the committee. The site will include a service vehicle station, parking, office space and a warehouse/repair shop. A brick wall will be extended from the office building along First Avenue North. A gated employee parking lot will be situated on 14th Street South. The building will have a glass, metal and brick façade. The brick from the historic train depot has been recycled for batting cages at Rickwood Field. The offices will offer services available at the previous location. Landscaping plans were also presented and questions were asked about adding landscaping to the parking lot. The plans have no trees in the lot due to the mobility needs of the service vehicles.
Status: Approved.
East Lake
The two end bays at the East Lake commercial property (7617 First Avenue North) are being renovated. The glass storefronts will be replaced with wood doors, painted a merlot red. The front façade will include a brick veneer. The space will be occupied by a vintage furniture store. No plans were presented for the trim colors.
Status: Approved, with the staff to circulate the trim color for approval by email.
Another property in East Lake was added to the agenda at the last minute. The old Faulk Realty Building (7718 First Avenue North) burned down two years ago. The property was condemned and scheduled for demolition. It has been bought and now renovation plans are ready to commence. The description included removing the porch roof and canopy and adding a gabled roof. The committee members requested a site plan, construction plans for the gabled roof and materials.
Status: Tabled, with the requested information to be circulated for approval by email due to time constraints.
Eighth Avenue North
GETH Church of Apostolic Faith (213 Rev. Abraham Woods, Jr. Boulevard) plans to construct a new building on the same site of the original church building, which was lost to a fire. The new construction will keep the existing entry pad. The committee was concerned with the lack of information on materials, a site plan and landscaping. The applicant was instructed to work with staff on the necessary materials for presentation.
Status: Tabled.
Five Points South
The Oasis Foundation is taking over the building currently occupied by Hand in Paw (1912 14th Avenue South). The new use includes a center for children’s art therapy. Renovation plans include enclosing the right side of the porch with casement windows.
Status: Approved.
Midtown
Renovation plans were submitted for approval at the former Merita Bread building (60 14th Street South / 1320 First Avenue South) and will include office and restaurant space. The sidewalk along 14th Street will be maintained and another will be added along First Avenue South, 13th Street South and Powell Avenue. The metal building will be used for parking and the new façade will be based on tenant needs, returning to the committee when final.
Status: Approved, with two recusals.
Signage Projects
21st Street North
The façade of John’s City Diner (112 Richard Arrington, Jr. Boulevard) will get a sprucing. The sign will be replaced with a new version of the existing sign, as well as the chrome and neon along the awning.
Status: Approved.
Downtown West
The Kings Inn (1313 Third Avenue North) is replacing its existing sign. The face will be replaced. However, the committee denied a request for a new digital readerboard sign.
Status: Approved.
Five Points West
At the previous meeting, the exterior upgrade for a local Burger King (2229 Bessemer Road) was approved. The committee considered the company’s signage requests at this meeting. All of the standard logo signage will be replaced and the monument sign casing will be repainted. Concerns were addressed on the inclusion of the awning phrasing in the allotted square footage.
Status: Approved, with the window signage portion removed from the project.
Second Avenue North
REV Birmingham presented plans for the new signage in the district. The 36-inch yellow signs will replace the existing “Loft District” signs.
Status: Approved.
Residential Projects
Anderson Place
A house damaged by a fallen tree (1703 15th Avenue South) is set to be repaired. The porch and stone columns will be rebuilt and the wood siding replaced. The siding will match the historic siding, which differs in size. Roughly 70 percent of the original stone was saved and will be reused. The neighborhood association approved the project.
Status: Approved.
Avondale Park
The neighborhood association previously approved a residential project (4440 Sixth Avenue South). Updates include removing the cedar siding for the original asbestos shingle and new wood windows.
Status: Approved.
Phelan Park
A residential building (1414 14th Avenue South), condemned and vacant for the past 25 years, has been purchased and slated for renovation. The roof and siding will be replaced on this two-story duplex and the property converted to a three-unit property. The siding, soffit and facia will be hardie board. The project also includes a stucco finish on the brick. The rear deck will also be replaced. A parking pad is planned for the adjacent lot. The committee expressed concerns about the project not being presented along with a site plan.
Status: Approved, with the site plan for the parking pad and the deck to return to the committee.
