Legacy Arena image courtesy of the BJCC.
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 April 8, 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
Midtown
A proposal was presented to replace the windows at the LabCorp building (2204 First Avenue South). The new aluminum windows would replace the existing wood frames and the design simulates the current double-hung style of the historic windows. The six-over-six pane pattern will be replicated. Although the windows are currently painted green, historic photos show a light gray or buff color. The new design requested a charcoal gray for the replacement window color.
Status: Approved
Signage Projects
Cultural
The BJCC Arena is now the Legacy Arena and the naming sponsorship signage plan was presented to the committee at the previous meeting. The Legacy signage would appear on the building and on the Ninth Avenue North sign. The exterior signage plan was presented and it was determined the interior signage was not under the purview of the committee.
Status: Approved
Parkside
The Negro Southern League Museum (120 16th Street South) returned to present their updated signage package. The “BBB” classic logo representing the Birmingham Black Barons and the round museum logo sign remained from the original presentation and a sign box was eliminated. Provisions were also made for signage for the future restaurant tenant.
Status: Approved
The master signage plan for Parkside Apartments (First Avenue South) was presented as requested by the committee. The plan includes signage for the retail tenants, the leasing office, and the building identification sign.
Status: Approved
Residential Projects
Forest Park
An exterior renovation project (4220 Seventh Avenue South) was presented that would remove a separate roof covering the porch stoop and replace it with an extension of the existing roofline. The new design allows for a continuous line attached directly to the roof. The neighborhood association approved the project.
Status: Approved
Redmont Park
The neighborhood association approved a residential request for the installation of a new front door (2500 Lanark Road). This new door would extend the entryway to the end of the existing stoop.
Status: Approved
