BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin held a news conference Tuesday morning to provide an update on neighborhood revitalization efforts in the city.

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin is continuing to make neighborhood revitalization a top priority.

During his Tuesday news conference, Woodfin stood in front of a newly demolished, blighted structure in East Lake stating he remains steadfast in beautifying the city.

“This year has provided many unforeseen obstacles that have interrupted our daily lives,” Woodfin said. “Through it all, neighborhood revitalization remains my top priority. The work to build a better Birmingham continues to move forward.”

Since January 2018, 945 blighted houses have been taken down by city crews and contractors. An additional 110 have been demolished by the responsible property owners, according to the mayor’s office.

The city has identified 34 non-residential structures: old office buildings, dilapidated apartments, and burned out church buildings, as part of a summer demolition program.

The demolition of blighted structures is a common request of neighborhood leaders and residents in neighborhoods throughout the city. In addition to demolition, the city has invested resources to address neighborhood revitalization through several programs.

Affordable Housing and Rehabilitation

  • The Citywide Rehabilitation Program is a partnership with Neighborhood Housing Services of Birmingham and funded from the city’s Neighborhood Revitalization Fund.
  • The program provides repairs and upgrades for low-to-moderate-income homeowners.
  • The average investment per house: $12,092.
  • The city allocated $287,000 in HOME Funds to assist Titusville Development Corporation in the construction of 2 new homes (404 and 422 Iota Street) in Titusville.
  • The Iota Street homes were completed in July.
  • The city currently has an additional $1.4 million in allocations to partners for additional affordable housing and transitional living programs.

Office of City Attorney Drug Nuisance Abatement Team

  • The city attorney’s Drug and Nuisance Abatement Team uses the state’s Drug Nuisance Abatement Act of 1996 to assess and evaluate nuisance properties.
  • 95 properties are currently under review.
  • The cases are pursued in municipal and circuit court.
  • Property owners who fail to comply may face a fine of up to $50,000.
  • The legal process requires property owners found not in compliance to clean up their properties.

Street Resurfacing and Sidewalk Repair

  • Work is nearing completion on more than 23 miles of street resurfacing as part of the city’s 5 Year Plan.
  • The current street resurfacing project represents a $6.7 million investment by the city.
  • Bidding has ended for Year 1 of the Sidewalk Repair Plan.
  • Sidewalk repairs are expected to begin upon approval by the council.

For more information visit the City of Birmingham’s website.

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