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 January 28, 2015.
Commercial Projects
Avondale
The Saturn portion of Saturn and Satellite (200 41st Street South) was carried over from the previous meetings. The new plans include making the building more pedestrian oriented by extending the awning from Satellite, adding a planter and bench, plus additional wall sconces. The project’s signage will return to the committee for approval.
Status: Approved.
Birmingham Green
The John Hand Building (17 20th Street North) will be getting new window openings along the west side of the building. These openings were bricked over during a previous renovation. The new windows along Morris Avenue will mimic the existing ones and the west side will get mill-finished aluminum windows. The removed brick will be reused in the project to maintain continuity in the color of the exterior.
Status: Approved.
Downtown East
The Landmark Center (2100 First Avenue North) is getting a facelift. The Fiberglas will be repainted and the terra cotta band will be cleaned. This first phase of maintenance will be on street level.
Status: Approved.
Lakeview
The Metropolitan Apartments (2900 Seventh Avenue South) project returned to the committee with updated plans. Two parcels were not secured during the property purchase, so adjustments needed to be made to the conceptual plans originally presented. They added glass, changed the corner and updated it to a four-story, 260-unit complex. Roughly 17 street parking spaces will complement a parking deck with 409 spaces. The committee members expressed how this could be one of the flagship properties in the 29th Street mixed-use corridor and requested the developers pursue the option of first floor units eventually becoming retail or professional space. Members also requested that they explore parallel rather than angled parking.
Status: Approved conceptual plans.
Midtown
Demolition and conceptual plans for a mixed use site (230 20th Street South) featuring a Publix grocery store were presented to the committee. The existing Firestone building will be demolished for the new construction. The loading dock for the store is planned for 19th Street South and the store will be able to be entered on 20th Street and Third Avenue South. A parking deck will sit atop the store and the top two floors will contain residential units. The committee was concerned with the lack of activity on 20th Street, especially as it is a main thoroughfare. They also requested Publix adapt their design to an urban setting.
Status: Approved, one recusal.
Norwood
The first phase of a renovation at Norwood Elementary School (3136 Norwood Boulevard) was presented to the committee. The windows will be replaced with new, aluminum framed windows with an extended edge to resemble the original wood windows. All of the windows in the building are scheduled to be replaced. The neighborhood approved the project but expressed concerns about the window tint for the upper portions of the glass. The presentation included samples of the differing window tints to show the relationship between the two types of glass tint.
Status: Approved.
Signage Projects
Downtown West
Depending on how old you are, what you remember as the old Zaden’s Hamburgers or K&M Fish and Wings (1104 Third Avenue North) is becoming the city’s newest Waffle House. The property will be redeveloped to accommodate the late night breakfast spot. They plan to reuse the existing signage options and the current lighting has been deemed adequate. The building is in the company’s new style to celebrate their 60th anniversary this year. The committee expressed concerns about the multiple pole signs in addition to all of the building’s signage. The project was amended to include a lowering of the pole sign, removal of the cube sign, a new monument sign and an additional sidewalk.
Status: Approved.
Residential Projects
Midtown
A former warehouse (2109 First Avenue South) is getting a new life as a residence. The plan is to convert the site to a single-family home by adding two stories to the structure. The existing openings will remain and the project includes sidewalk repairs. The committee requested a site plan and drawings to better understand the project.
Status: Carried over to the next meeting.
Redmont Park
An addition is planned for this Redmont Park residence (2811 Argyle Road). A two-car garage with deck and a two-story master bedroom/playroom will be added to the rear of the house. Since the back of the house fronts along Berwick Road, the addition will be visible from the street. A previously approved turn-around in the driveway and front yard at this site was also discussed and the committee questioned if it was still needed with the addition of the garage. The continuing need for the turn-around was explained by describing how the new driveway is specifically for entrance to the garage and not for guests. The neighborhood association requested a landscape plan as well.
Status: Tabled until a landscape plan is ready to be presented.