Twice a month, the city of Birmingham’s Design Review Committee convenes at the Auburn Urban Studio 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 September 9, 2015.
Commercial Projects
Birmingham Green
The Empire Building (1928 First Avenue North) will be renovated for a Marriott Hotel. The building next door, formerly Toby’s, will be included in the Marriott renovation. The smaller building adjacent will become a Fairfield Inn. Signage and a canopy will be installed on both 20th Street and First Avenue North. Backlit channel letters will be installed on the canopy entrances. The façade will be restored historically. The presentation was strictly for the Marriott. Plans for the Fairfield Inn renovation will return.
Status: Approved
Joseph McClure Realty (208 20th Street North) presented plans to demolish the metal façade of the former Parisians / Reynolds Haberdashery building it currently occupies. The metal appears to be attached by furring strips, but without removing it there is no way to tell how much of the historic façade remains in tact. The request was made for permission to remove in hopes there is enough of the façade left to restore.
Status: Approved
Midtown / Parkside
Plans for the park and landscaping projects around Powell Avenue Steam Plant (1800 First Avenue South) were presented to the committee. The area will include a gathering space with a design relating to Railroad Park. Shade structures will be installed as will a pavilion. The designers are in the process of getting this section of Powell Avenue vacated to traffic. Only the urban park / plaza portion of the project was included in the request for approval; signage and wayfinding will return to the committee.
Status: Approved, one recusal
Third Presbyterian Church (617 22nd Street South) returned to the committee to present an updated canopy design and a new ADA ramp. The new plans are for a flat canopy to replace the barrel shape presented at the previous meeting. The ramp was approved. Concerns were expressed that the canopy is not needed year-round.
Status: Approved
Theatre District
The O’Carr’s restaurant project (214-216 18th Street North) returned to the committee. The restaurant, with residential space in the floors above, will move into two buildings across from the stage entrance of the Alabama Theatre. The paint scheme is a china white. Although the motion to approve was passed with two votes opposed, a subsequent motion was made to reconsider. A discussion ensued regarding the preservation of the historic sign currently visible on the exterior of the three-story building. The presenters confirmed the sign will remain unpainted and be sealed for preservation.
Status: Approved
Signage Projects
Avondale
Signage designs for the Wooden Goat (4100 Third Avenue South) were brought to the committee. The logo will be plasma cut into a steel panel and the letters will be individually cut.
Status: Approved
Residential Projects
Second Avenue North
A residential painting project (2429 Second Avenue North) returned to the committee with the request to paint the façade of the building white. The owner’s intention is to brighten up that end of Second Avenue South. However, the guidelines for the area restrict the colors in that facades can be painted as long as there is a precedent in the area for that color. There is no precedent for a white façade on that block. The committee asked the homeowner to work with staff to get a copy of the guidelines before returning to the committee.
Status: Carried over