Residential renovations and additions, plus a master signage plan update and a new park space came before Birmingham’s Design Review Committee in February.

The UAB campus is getting a new park space adjacent to the Altec/Styslinger Genomic Medicine and Data Sciences Building. First presented as part of the overall building plans at the May 25, 2022, meeting but not approved at the time, the team returned for approval of the park phase of the project.

The park will feature a lawn area, terrace seat walls, and a retaining wall. Plantings will serve as a buffer between the street and the park. Seating and lighting will complete the area. Signage is not planned at this time, but will return to the committee for approval if needed.

Signage

The mixed-use development at Parkside will welcome a new restaurant, Tay’s Tea. The projecting sign required an update to the building’s Master Signage Plan. The new design will be a round, internally lit sign. Upon installation repairs to the brick will be completed.

Another Master Signage Plan update came before the committee for the Lakeview Marina development. Seasick Records is moving from Avondale to Lakeview and will be occupying one of the larger spaces in the development. The painted signage will appear above the canopy and along the window line.

The former Cloud Nine location in Five Points South will be the next location for a temporary mural from REV Birmingham. This one will celebrate the annual St Patrick’s Day parade and be followed up by a general Five Points South neighborhood mural. There was one no vote on the mural, and the committee stipulated that it has to be removed within a week of St. Patrick’s Day.

Residential

In Redmont Park, the neighborhood committee approved plans for a second story addition and roof and deck extensions. The homeowner agreed to incorporate the neighborhood’s numerous conditions. Although located in a historic district, the house is considered non-contributing – meaning it has no impact on the historic character of the neighborhood.

The Avondale Park neighborhood committee approved an Eagle Scout project to construct an arbor in the side yard. The property is located on a prominent corner and the owners hope it becomes a focal point in the neighborhood.

An adaptive reuse project is turning a former automotive garage in Midtown into a residence. Due to the location and the building’s historic district contributing status, the committee weighed in on the exterior renovations., including the replacement of the garage doors, restoring the steel transom, and the existing curb cuts.

Committee Decisions by Neighborhood

On February 12, the Design Review Committee considered the following plans to make alterations to structures that fall within one of the city’s many historic and commercial revitalization districts:

Avondale Park

Residential – The committee approved as presented with the neighborhood recommendation.

Five Points South

Temporary Mural – 1030 20th Street South – The committee approved as presented.

Lakeview

Signage – Seasick Records, 3131 Fifth Avenue South – The committee approved as presented, with one recusal.

Midtown

New Construction – UAB, 701 19th Street South – The committee approved as presented, with one recusal.

Residential – The committee approved as presented, with one recusal.

Parkside

Signage – Tay’s Tea, 1701 First Avenue South – The committee approved the updated Master Signage Plan as presented.

Redmont Park

Residential – The committee approved as presented with the neighborhood conditions.