There is a public hearing regarding the property of the late Mrs. Catherine Sims. Ms. Sims left her property (three adjacent lots) to the City of Homewood for a "botanical garden".
The property is on Highland Road in Edgewood, not far from the Middle School. It is listed as 908 Highland Road. [If you were to walk from HMS up and then down Mecca, you would pass Irving Road on the left and the next left is Highland. It is next to a large home that has a "Sport Court" ] You cannot see the entire parcel from the street.
The Homewood Park Board voted not to accept it after being told that it would cost a great deal of money to create it into a botanical garden. However, there are no specific guidelines regarding what kind of botanical garden nor a timeline for creating it. The Park Board rejected the property based on seeing only one proposal for the property and did not want to take that kind of expense on. They also expressed concern about the traffic that a botanical garden could attract.
The Environmental Commission met on Tuesday and they are in favor of the City accepting the property for a passive and/or pocket park. A passive park could offer a restful and green retreat in the middle of an neighborhood, much like Woodland Park. It would attract pedestrians and could possibly be used for educational purposes by both HMS and Edgewood students who could get to the park on foot. It has value as green space and as a botancial garden of indigenous plants. Woodland Park is used primarily by neighbors who arrive on foot and does not create car traffic.
If the City is not wiling to receive the property, it will default to the Greater Birmingham Foundation who have already stated that they will sell the property to a developer who will then develop three lots. Given the slope and narrow width of Highland, and that property in general, three new homes seems excessive. The traffic during construction would indeed be a challenge and create more car traffic, as well as three new homes where there once was one with a single individual living on that land.
If you are in favor of receiving the Sims property for a passive botanical garden/park with minimal impact on the land and neighborhood, please call your representative, as well as City Council members Alan Tripped (Finance) and President Ginger Busby to express your thoughts. They want and need your input to make the best decision. They have not heard from everyone who will be affected. Please call, especially if you live on or near Highland Road (i.e. Mecca, Peerless, Irving, Dawson area). This is a rare opportunity to preserve rather than use up precious greenspace in Homewood. We also have a great opportunity to explore how to develop this land into something educational (i.e. botancial garden of native plants) and enjoyable as a passive/pedestrian park in the heart of Edgewood.
Lastly, receiving the land and using it in this manner would be more in keeping with Mrs. Sims' wishes than allowing it to default to the Greater Birmingham Foundation that would in turn sell it to a developer who will break it up into 3 new home sites.
There will be a public hearing to discuss the ordinance to permit the adoption of the Homewood Historical Preservation Commission and to authorize the designation of Historical Districts and Properties. I urge anyone interested preserving the rich history of Homewood to attend and show your support. 6 pm at he City Council Chambers in the City Hall
]]>Since 1994, the AHC and the ATHP have joined forces to sponsor Places in Peril, a program designed to highlight some of Alabama's most significant endangered historic sites. Modeled after the National Trust for Historic Preservation's program, this year's list features 11 endangered sites.
"Places in Peril is a valuable tool in directing public attention to the many cultural resources in Alabama under threat from neglect or demolition," said John A. Neubauer, executive director of the Alabama Historical Commission.
Named to this year's Places in Peril are the Carraway House and the Edgewood community.
]]> The streets of Birmingham's Norwood district are lined with Colonial Revival houses, Craftsman bungalows, American Four-squares, and shingle-style dwellings. "Residents both old and new appreciate their neighborhood and are committed to preserving it," said Melanie Betz, an architectural historian with the Alabama Historical Commission. "But the future of one Norwood landmark is in peril."The Carraway House, a fine two-story Craftsman-style residence, has been vacant for many years and is suffering from damage and neglect. To make things worse, a recent upstairs fire destroyed about a third of the roof subjecting it to the elements. However, determined residents are trying to save the Carraway House despite these setbacks.
Designed by Salie and Mewhinney, the Carraway house was originally constructed in 1916 by T. S. Abernethy, president of the Strand Theater Company. In 1933, Dr. Charles N. Carraway, a physician and founder of Carraway Hospital, purchased the house from Abernethy. The house changed ownership over the years but it wasn't until recently when the house fell into disrepair.
The Norwood neighborhood is looking for ways to obtain and stabilize the property. Several community development corporations have expressed interest in working with the neighborhood. If successful, a restored Carraway House could anchor the neighborhood and function again as a beautiful and useful building.
Nothing can erode the character and integrity of a neighborhood more quickly than loosing its original building stock. Old buildings are lost for a number of reasons but the widespread "teardown" movement is the most feared by preservationists. This destructive trend conjures up images of bulldozers, orange construction tape, old buildings demolished in favor of new, unnecessary environmental waste, and the ultimate loss of "place".
"The Edgewood neighborhood and business district in Homewood is one of those places now facing pressure to "tear down" its historic houses and commercial structures for bigger and newer buildings -- all in the name of progress," said Betz.
Edgewood is one of three communities incorporated by the City of Homewood in 1926. Known for its attractive architecture, Edgewood still retains many of its 1920s bungalows, Tudor Revival houses, and Spanish-style buildings, along with a quaint business district of single-story Tudor and Spanish-style commercial structures. "But the rapid growth of the community now threatens its treasured architecture, cultural diversity, and affordable housing market enjoyed by Edgewood residents," Betz said. Many business owners are against a proposed redevelopment of the business district, which includes demolishing some of the original buildings. Property owners are also concerned about the growing number of "teardowns" in their residential neighborhoods.
"It's still not too late for Edgewood," said Betz. "Residents can fight back with a determination to save what is important about their community. " Identifying those elements through survey and registration efforts, improved local preservation ordinances, and design review may have an impact on future decisions. Money used for new development might also be used for preservation and adaptive reuse.
"The community of Edgewood does not have to loose its character and architectural integrity to the bulldozer," said Betz.
"Being listed as a significant historic endangered site carries no formal protection, but it can help generate the local support necessary for the sustained preservation of these resources," said Barbara Adkins, president of the Alabama Trust for Historic Preservation.
The 11 sites listed as Places in Peril for 2007 are:
- Carraway House, Birmingham, Jefferson County
- Edgewood Community, Homewood, Jefferson County
- Bibb County Jail, Centerville, Bibb County
- Aircraft Hangar at Gragg Field Historic District, Clanton, Chilton County
- Winterboro School, Winterboro, Talladega County
- South Perry Street Historic District, Montgomery, Montgomery County
- St. Clair Springs Historic District, St. Clair Springs, St. Clair County
- Historic Iron and Steel Truss Bridges, Statewide
- Old Church of the Epiphany (Episcopal), Guntersville, Marshall County
- Barclift Inn, Blountsville, Blount County
- Sunny Slope, Auburn, Lee County
More info available at the City's Website.
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Yard Signs are now available. If you are interested, you can use the contact form to get more information.
]]>- LOCATION:
- City Council Chambers at City Hall
- DATE:
- April 24, 2007
- TIME:
- 6:00 pm
For more information call: 332-6829 or read: Master Plan Pages
]]>For Jefferson County residents with garages and basements loaded with familiar hazardous materials, Saturday, April 21st, will be a chance to do some "spring cleaning" without endangering the environment.
The Jefferson County Commission is sponsoring a Household Hazardous Waste Day on Saturday, April 21st, from 8 am until noon at the following four regional drop-off sites: Center Point Courthouse, Hoover Metropolitan Stadium, Bessemer Civic Center and the Alabama State Fairgrounds (Birmingham). This event is open to all Jefferson County residents at no charge.
Household hazardous waste, or HHW, is considered any product that is toxic, poisonous, corrosive, flammable, combustible or reactive. Some common examples include gasoline, pesticides, used motor oil, batteries, paint, and paint thinners.
For more information, please call Jefferson County's Department of Environmental Protection at 325-8712.
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Items 04.05.07 and 05.05.07 are to set a date for public hearings for the proposed Hotel amendment to the MXD zoning ordinance and the project to replace the historic City Hall. Also, there is a Request to consider funding alternative studies for Highway 280.
You can read the entire agenda at the City Website.
]]>LOCATION: City Council Chambers at City Hall
DATE: February 27, 2007
TIME: 6:00 PM
For more information call: 332-6829