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City of Birmingham Launches Façade Improvement Pilot Program to Support Redevelopment

October 1, 2020 – The City of Birmingham’s Community Development Department has launched a pilot incentive program to improve the facades of buildings within priority redevelopment areas. The program is designed to enhance the front appearance of buildings to increase property values, improve the marketability of space within the buildings and draw additional business and foot traffic to the area.

The Community Development Department has identified nine priority redevelopment areas. Those areas are:

  • Ensley Commercial Business District
  • Fourth Avenue Business District
  • North Birmingham Commercial District
  • Eighth Avenue Business District
  • Lomb-Tuscaloosa Avenue Commercial District
  • Downtown West Commercial District
  • Portions of the Downtown Northwest Commercial District
  • Portions of Woodlawn Commercial District
  • Portions of East Lake Commercial District

In addition, the Community Development Department has the option to address individual blighted buildings outside the priority areas if funding is available.

“This is another tool for the city to support our priority of neighborhood revitalization,” Mayor Randall L. Woodfin said. “Blight removal is the first step in revitalization. Providing resources for commercial property owners creates new opportunities to redevelop our business districts.”

The pilot program provides $20 per square foot based on the total project cost. The maximum that can be received per building is $50,000. Applicants must provide a match equal to or greater than 20% of the amount awarded through the program. The match must be spent on the facade improvement pilot program.

Funding is provided to property owners in the form of a loan that is forgiven over a five-year period with no payments required if the property continues to be maintained in accordance with the program requirements. Buildings eligible for the pilot program are commercial and mixed commercial/residential locations with facades visible from the street. New construction is not eligible for the program.

Funding for the pilot program comes from Community Development Block Grants administered through the federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Department. The program targets economic development through job creation and retention.

To obtain an application or additional information about the program, individuals may call the Community Development Department at 205.254.2309.

About the City of Birmingham

For more information about the City of Birmingham, please visit www.birminghamal.gov. Follow the City of Birmingham on Facebook and Twitter @CityofBhamAl. Text BHMINFO to 888-777 to receive important updates and announcements.