Concept art for Publix. Courtesy of Cohen Carnaggio Reynolds.
Twice a month, the city of Birmingham’s Design Review Committee convenes to discuss plans to make alterations to structures that fall within one of the city’s many historic and commercial revitalization districts. This column summarizes recent DRC activity, with projects grouped by type and location. This edition of Design Review recaps the DRC meeting from March 25, 2015.
The Design Review Committee has rekindled their relationship with the Auburn Urban Studio and has resumed meetings in the school’s new space on 20th Street North.
Commercial Projects
Fourth Avenue North
Owners of a parking lot (1630 Third Ave. N.) requested fencing in order to provide protection for the cars parked on the property. The square tube steel fence will be installed along the alley and the avenue. The street side already has concrete bumpers. The existing curb cuts will be gated. All steel fencing will be painted black.
Status: Approved, two opposed.
Midtown
Fresenius Medical Care (2024 Fourth Ave. S.) presented a construction and signage plan at the previous meeting. Additional information on the project, including plans to change a section of windows to a door, tinting the existing windows, adding awnings above the doors and signage were brought to the committee for consideration.
Status: Approved.
Construction plans for the new downtown Publix (230 20th St. S.), including plans for parking and residential space above the store, were presented to the committee. The storefront will face 20th Street South. The internal layout of the store was changed to accommodate the committee’s previous request to allow for a wider glass storefront along the thoroughfare. The exterior will include zinc panels, stucco, rough concrete and galvanized louvers. The residential balconies will have a cable system railing. Signage for the project will be brought to the committee at a later date.
Status: Approved, one opposed.
Signage Projects
Cultural
The BJCC Arena is now the Legacy Arena and the naming sponsorship signage plan was presented to the committee. The Legacy signage would appear on the building and on the Ninth Avenue North sign. The committee requested a master signage plan in case any future sponsorships are sold and additional signage is requested.
Status: Informal review, no vote taken.
Downtown Northwest
The industrial tool distributor Alabama Jack Beerman (1145 Fifth Ave. N.) is expanding into the rest of its current building. Plans include a new fascia sign, awnings over the entrances and a roll-up door. As presented, the roll-up door and one awning would be red, with a side green-colored awning. No color samples were presented to the committee.
Status: Tabled, can approve over email.
Five Points South
The signage for Pho Pho (1025 20th St. S.) was previously tabled for a master signage plan for the building. The building’s owner is currently working through the plan, but the business has requested allowing the signage and a new awning in the meantime. The committee allowed the project to work through details via email before it is officially presented.
Status: Tabled, master signage plan for the building needed.
The exterior of Surin West (1918 11th Ave. S.) will be getting a facelift. The refurbishment includes new signage, a new canopy, lighting and exterior paint. Despite sharing walls, the buildings are individually owned so no master signage plan is needed.
Status: Approved.
Surin West concept art courtesy of Black Design Architecture.
Parkside
The Negro Southern League Museum (120 16th St. S.) presented their signage package in anticipation of their May opening. The plans include backlit signage, reverse-lit channel letters and a variety of designs. The committee expressed concerns that there was too much signage and it was not well-balanced. A simplified plan was requested and can be reviewed via email. The landscaping was also presented, and the committee requested the street trees match the others in the district.
Status: Signage, Tabled, one recusal; Landscape, Approved, one recusal.
The signage for Parkside Apartments (First Avenue South) was introduced, but only the apartment complex signage was included in the proposal. As it is a mixed-use development, the committee requested a master signage plan for all of the project’s signage. The committee chose to allow the bracket installation as part of the construction, but did not approve the sign.
Status: Tabled, master signage plan for the building needed.
Parkway East
New signage plans for Cash America (9416 Parkway East) was brought before the committee. The new package would include an internally lit cabinet sign and the removal of awnings. Although the signage met the city requirements, the committee discussed the inclusion of the company’s tag line as part of the signage. However, based on providing consistency in the committee’s rulings (and citing the UAB Barnes & Noble signage), the tag line will need to be removed.
Status: Approved.
Residential Projects
Forest Park
Plans for window replacement in a residence (3834 Glenwood Ave.) were discussed. The project calls for wood windows on the street side and vinyl windows along the sides and rear of the home. The neighborhood association approved the project.
Status: Approved.
