BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – Tuesday morning, May 26, the Birmingham City Council approved an amendment to the Affordable Housing Redevelopment Agreement with Smithfield Phase II, LP. City leaders say the vote was a required step for the developer to keep moving forward with plans at Smithfield Court.
The project focuses on replacing one of the city’s oldest housing communities, the Smithfield Court public housing complex, with a mixed-income neighborhood. Leaders say it is part of a larger effort to improve housing and quality of life.
Birmingham received a $50 million federal CHOICE Neighborhoods grant in 2023. City officials say the grant is one component of a larger, almost $300 million revitalization plan that involves multiple partners and is expected to add about 1,100 mixed-income housing units to the surrounding area.
Neighbors say they support changes to the community, but they also want current residents to be able to stay…