BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBMA) — Birmingham City Council approved nearly $700,000 Tuesday to begin planning a long-term effort aimed at revitalizing 12 neighborhood business districts across the city.
The agreements are part of a previously approved $2 million investment from the city’s budget surplus for the Urban Villages Initiative. City leaders describe the effort as a way to create vibrant, walkable neighborhood centers that provide nearby businesses, services, transportation options and public gathering spaces.
The council approved three contracts totaling up to $699,155:
- Interface Studio — up to $299,980
- TSW — up to $299,575
- Wilbron — up to $99,600 for community engagement strategies and project narratives
The 12 Urban Villages identified by the city are:
- Huffman — where a plan was completed in 2024
- East Lake
- Eastwood
- Woodlawn
- Five Points South
- Northwest Downtown
- North Birmingham
- Smithfield
- Titusville
- Ensley
- Five Points West
- Lawson State
Some areas, including Huffman, are further along in the process because planning has already been completed. City officials said those neighborhoods can begin moving toward implementation, while other Urban Villages will use the newly approved contracts to develop their plans…