If you feel passionate about saving Fire Station 22, located on Clairmont Avenue and registered as a National Historic Landmark, then take a minute to let your voice be heard.
All that’s needed is a few clicks of your mouse and a virtual signature.
Go here to the “Tell Walgreens to find another corner” Facebook page.
Click on the discussions tab. Sign the Petition.
Your fellow (passionate) residents thank you.
Oh, and here’s an update on today’s budget & finance committee meeting at City Hall. Sources say they’ve deferred the vote to the June 7 economic development committee meeting. I’m completely aware that we may not be able to save the structure, but we can (as a grassroots-driven “Redevelopment Authority”) have a say in how this prominent corner is re-purposed. Post a comment to let us know what your ideas are! We’ve heard art gallery, tattoo parlor, Fire Fighters museum, to name a few…
Here’ the most current article from The News.
Go, now. Here’s the link again…
17 Comments
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This is just as ridiculous as putting a Chik-fil-A in Five Points South. Parking and flow of traffic is already a problem on that side of town. Plus I believe the people of Avondale and those who frequent Clairmont Avenue would not approve of their commute being even longer. Let’s try to preserve this area and find another spot for Walgreens. There’s plenty of other unused real estate in our downtown area.
I agree! Help us tell the story!
LKW–Thanks for your leadership on this and setting up the petition. I am still trying to get my friend in Econ Development at the City to help explain the situation from their perspective, which could further help our efforts.
That would be awesome, bhamarchitect. I’d be very interested to know the city’s perspective and plan. If nothing else comes from this, at least maybe we can let them know that TRANSPARENCY is the way to go about it…
Standing by…
Lets hope that this effort doesn’t turn out like this one did.
http://bplonline.cdmhost.com/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/p4017coll2&CISOPTR=469&CISOBOX=1&REC=11
Even though this stretch of road is really not too great right now, we would be much better served to save what we have instead of throwing up the same tired old strip mall everywhere. If Lakeview could be linked with Forest Park by shops, restaurants, and mixed use developments that have storefronts right on the sidewalk, I think everyone in the surrounding neighborhoods would benefit.
BhamNewcomer, agreed! Linking these two wonderfully unique districts would only enhance the neighborhood for the residents that live there, but also to other Birmingham residents that utilize it as a cultural/entertainment destination. I would love to see the City put as much thought and effort in to revitilizing these existing areas (Lakeview/Five Points/Woodlawn) rather than throwing it all into building a NEW complex (Marketplace/BJCC expansion).
Pressure makes diamonds…keep the pressure strong!
Let me add to this… this really isn’t about Walgreen’s at all. In fact, if they want to put a building in between Bogue’s and the Fire Station, with a streetfront entrance and parking on the side and/or in the back, then more power to them. I think it would probably fit in that space, and the Clairmont Auto Service location is not an architectural gem either. But I think they need to respect the neighborhood and the wishes of future customers here. I can tell you right now that if they proceed with the plans as they are, I will never shop in that Walgreen’s or any other Walgreen’s for that matter.
I couldn’t agree w/you more! On #22 and Chick-Fila. Such a sad state of affairs with the city’s leaders can’t be forward thinkers — especially when we have so many other preservation role models nearby (Atlanta, New Orleans, Nashville).
Why aren’t we hearing from the Bham Historical Society? Shouldn’t they be leading this charge? Or are they another irrelevant organization that works hard for a while, then loses interest?
Good though and we should be reaching out to the Bham Historical Society – another force that can help our charge!
And yes, why is the city behind when our neighbor cities are moving forward? (sigh)
Keep in mind here, the city has little power to dictate what goes where. Both the Walgreens mentioned above and the Chic-fil-a mentioned in the comments are allowed by the existing zoning. The city can not pick and chose what business to allow or not to allow when they are permitted in the land-use zoning.
While I agree that the Walgreens may not be appropriate for this corner, it is not in the city’s power to stop the development.
This is a zoning issue. We need a more proactive zoning code. This, to me, is the failure of the populace and Walgreens is the result.
While that is true, I would think that the city could still make the sale of the Fire Station contingent on historic renovation rather than demolition. I think they have ways to block this (the DRB already rejected it once) or at least constrain how Walgreen’s would proceed.
you are correct that there was no condition to save the ‘old fire station’ in the RFP the city released. This may or may not have been an oversight. My understanding is that the building had been condemned and is not able to be reused in an economic fashion. Walgreen’s was the only one to respond (with in reason) to the RFP.
DRB did not reject the applicant, they have asked for the project to be further developed.
yes this is a beautiful building w/ great location and historical value. my husband worked for many yrs for “the arbor” doing concrete work and now remodels and constructs…and is always mentioning how he loves the architecture of fire station# 22…we wish to retire someday in birmingham in that sort of building type.SAVE FIRE STATION # 22… it can be re-worked ….kj.
about saving the structure ,it wasn’t that long ago that the fire house was occupied.i don’t believe that it is past repairs. and domed to demolition.thank you.
Kim, thank you for your comments. I encourage you to become an active voice here: I Believe in Birmingham.
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