Hope VI project site work launched
Construction firm to build infrastructure for city center housing

06/16/03
MICHAEL TOMBERLIN
Birmingham News staff writer

Hope starts to become a reality today with construction beginning on the HOPE VI project downtown.

Metropolitan Gardens Developers LLC has tapped Dunn Construction Co. to begin a $5.4 million infrastructure construction job that is expected to continue for the next nine months.

The work to be done includes street improvements, curbs and gutters, sidewalks, storm and sanitary sewers, landscaping, street lighting, benches, bicycle racks and trash receptacles.

The work will allow construction to begin in August on 197 mixed-income housing units in the $13 million first phase of HOPE VI. The first residents could move in by the spring 2004.

Of the 197 units, 87 are set aside for public housing.

Construction was initially set to begin a few weeks ago after the razing of most of the former 990-unit Metropolitan Gardens public housing community. The project was slowed as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reviewed development plans and checked records.

"We are excited to begin construction and to move forward on this long-anticipated mixed-use development," said Al Folcher, project executive for Metropolitan Gardens Developers. "Revitalization of this area of Birmingham's city center will have a tremendously positive impact on the entire community."

The complete $100 million HOPE VI project will create 637 townhouse apartments and condominiums, 264 of which are set aside for public housing residents and the rest rented or sold to people of all income levels.

Some pre-leasing of the non-public housing units has started.

The project also includes some commercial development sites.

Folcher said the road improvements will be the first part of the work Dunn will begin today.

Michael Calvert, president of Operation New Birmingham, said HOPE VI is expected to propel an already small but thriving residential market downtown.

"HOPE VI will transform the whole northeast quadrant of the city center," he said. "It will complement the loft developments and make other buildings more attractive for development."

Because of the HOPE VI property's location off Interstate 20/59 and the Elton B. Stephens Expressway, Calvert said the project will have added benefits.

"HOPE VI will be highly visible whereas the lofts are hardly visible," he said. "We're thinking this will create a high enough concentration of residents to attract additional retail services."

The infrastructure is financed through a grant from the City of Birmingham and administered through the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District.

Folcher said negotiations are ongoing with Jefferson County to help cover the costs of sanitary sewer in a portion of the HOPE VI development.

"Hopefully we will have an agreement in place soon," he said.

Negotiations also are ongoing with BellSouth and Alabama Power for underground utility work.