By Erica Thomas, managing editor
BIRMINGHAM — The Housing Authority of the Birmingham District has proposed a plan to renovate apartments in an unincorporated part of east Jefferson County, between Pinson, Clay and Center Point.
Farrington Apartments would be renovated for use by the HABD. The HABD plans to renovate the Tom Brown Village Apartments in Birmingham, and Farrington will be one of several locations where residents will be relocated during that time. Going forward, the complex would be open to anyone in the county who qualifies, as well as existing residents within the Housing Authority’s district.
There are over 100 units at Farrington. Around 22 of those will be made available to residents of Tom Brown Village.
Although Farrington Apartments are at 2935 Creek Lane, in unincorporated Jefferson County, the area is zoned for schools in Center Point.
Center Point High School Principal Van Phillips said he is waiting for additional information from the HABD about how the addition will impact the student population at each school.
HABD has already met with Jefferson County Commissioner Joe Knight, Jefferson County Schools Superintendent Walter Gonsoulin, Center Point Mayor Tom Henderson and Principal Phillips about the plans.
Michael O. Lundy, President and CEO of the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District (HABD) responded to media inquiries with the following statement:
“HABD leadership has had initial meetings with Jefferson County leaders and will continue conversations with the leadership and community to convey information about an exciting affordable housing development. Farrington Apartments, a 40-year-old assisted housing site, is undergoing an approximately 20 million dollar renovation which, once completed, will serve eligible citizens in the county as well as existing public housing residents.”
Jefferson County Commissioner Joe Knight said his concerns are for the school system and the sheriff’s office, but he said he is optimistic.
“We don’t want the sheriff’s office spread too thin,” said Knight. “We don’t want to overload them and we don’t want to hinder schools in Center Point from improving.”
Knight does not believe the redevelopment of the property will bring in a massive influx of residents. He also said he doesn’t think the project will impact property values.
“We’ve met with them and they have been positive about their effort towards not just turning this into another project area but indeed a place where people would want to live,” said Knight.
Knight said he believes overall, apartment and condo owners in the area need to be held accountable.
“With some of the things that have happened in the last couple of weeks, I’m even more committed to them starting to hold some of these apartment owners and condo owners a little bit more responsible,” Knight said.
The Housing Authority plans to host public community meetings at a later date.