A large swath of the Southtown housing project alongside Red Mountain Expressway has been demolished, and the City of Birmingham this week allocated funds to build new affordable senior housing as part of the planned mixed-used development being built in its place.

Southtown Court was a 445-unit public housing community where 1,000 people formerly lived. Only about 88 of the 445 units are still occupied. Those who still live there will remain in their apartments until the new housing is completed. The currently occupied apartments will be the last section demolished.

The Birmingham City Council voted Tuesday to provide up to $1.76 million in Community Development Block Grant funding to WF Southtown Family LP for sitework and infrastructure improvements within the Southtown redevelopment project.

The City Council also approved $1 million in section 108 loan funds to TBG Southtown Senior LP for the development of senior affordable housing of up to 143 affordable senior housing apartments on property within the Southtown Court public housing redevelopment.

The city also agreed to provide up to $880,000 in HOME Investment Partnership funds to TBG Southtown Senior LP to provide a rental subsidy for those 143 affordable senior housing apartments.

The Birmingham Housing Authority has said that in keeping with its mission, the first new construction on the property will be affordable senior and family housing.

A new mixed-used development called Edgehill at Southtown will occupy the 26-acre tract between UAB and Ascension St. Vincent’s Birmingham along University Boulevard.

The mix of residential development, hotel and office space, parking garages and retail space will sit on the west side of Red Mountain Expressway, on the opposite side of the expressway from St. Vincent’s Hospital.

The development will include 850,000 square feet of office and commercial space, with room for retail and restaurants.

The new development on the site of Southtown will include up to 560 housing units, equally divided between federally subsidized housing and market-rate rentals. The initial plans called for 220 subsidized units.

The re-development plan calls for green space including “pocket parks” and a buffer along the west side of Red Mountain Expressway.

The remainder of the former Southtown residents have been re-located as the Birmingham Housing Authority offered a variety of options for vouchers for home ownership, rent assistance vouchers and a choice of moving to other apartments owned by the Birmingham Housing Authority.

All residents met with case workers who explained their options, she said. About 224 families chose rental vouchers that they could use with private landlords, choosing their own housing location.

See also: Birmingham’s Southtown makes way for homes, offices, restaurants and retail

Birmingham sees opportunity as Southtown falls, but residents face uncertainty

Demolition begins on Southtown public housing

Birmingham’s Southtown development moves forward with planned hotel, offices retail

Behind the painted wall: Life in Birmingham’s Southtown