The City of Birmingham has sued a Norwood apartment complex, calling it a “drug-related nuisance.”

The city’s lawsuit was filed in Jefferson County Circuit Court on May 23 against Norwood Plaza Apartments, LLC and its property management company, Tutwiler Realty, Inc., seeking to have the property declared both a drug-related nuisance and a public nuisance under Alabama law.

Apartment management did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The city says the action comes after years of repeated, documented drug activity, illegal behavior, and threats to public safety centered around the apartment complex located at 1717 32nd Place North in the Norwood neighborhood. The city says it is pursuing injunctive relief and other legal remedies to protect residents and stabilize the surrounding community.

“This property has been a consistent source of danger, criminal activity, and community disruption,” said City Attorney Nicole E. King. “Despite repeated warnings and enforcement actions, the property owners and managers have failed to take meaningful steps to address the illegal activity occurring at Norwood Plaza Apartments.

“Today’s legal action is necessary to protect the safety, health, and peace of the neighborhood.”

The petition outlines a disturbing pattern of illegal activity and inaction:

• Multiple drug seizures and arrests from December 2023 through April 2025 involving large quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, ecstasy, marijuana, prescription pills, and illegal firearms.
• Search warrants executed by the Birmingham Police Department and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, leading to the recovery of narcotics and weapons.
• Repeated correspondence and warnings from the City of Birmingham advising the owners of potential legal consequences.
• A substantial drain on city resources, with numerous police calls for service and a continued risk to residents, schoolchildren, and businesses nearby.

The city is asking the court to issue a preliminary and permanent injunction that would:

• Prohibit further illegal activity at the property.
• Require 24/7 certified security, modern surveillance systems, fencing, and a security plan.
• Mandate the installation of license-plate reader technology compatible with the Birmingham Police Department.
• Place rental income under a court-appointed trustee and appoint a Receiver to manage the property if needed.
• Allow for the sale of the property should the owners fail to abate the nuisance.
• Impose a $50,000 fine and award the city attorney’s fees.

“The residents of Norwood and the families in surrounding neighborhoods deserve a safe, healthy place to live and thrive,” said Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin. “We will not allow lawlessness and neglect to endanger our people. This legal action demonstrates our unwavering commitment to public safety and neighborhood revitalization.”

The city requested an emergency hearing and oral argument.