NW Downtown Birmingham to focus on Economic Growth and Innovation

NW Downtown Birmingham Master Development Plan Begins
Community Based Process To Drive Economic Growth & Innovation

Birmingham Civil Rights District and The Switch will be the center of the master plan.

BIRMINGHAM, AL (9/23/20) — Urban Impact and REV Birmingham, with the City of Birmingham, are serving as stewards for a community-based process for guiding future investment, growth and development in the Civil Rights District and The Switch, the rebranded innovation district. These efforts will build on the recent planning projects, including Freedom Walk and the City Center Master Plan, to help create a clear road map for implementing the community’s vision for urban districts and adjacent neighborhoods.

Urban Impact, a local non-profit that focuses on community and economic development in the Historic 4th Avenue business district, and REV Birmingham, a place-based revitalization agency and economic non-profit that works to make Birmingham a more vibrant city, are the two leading stewards of the NW Downtown Birmingham Master Development Plan. With support from the City of Birmingham and many other community partners, this master plan will be a community-based process for driving future investment, growth and development in the Civil Rights District and The Switch.

“This planning effort is an opportunity to transform this historic district into a global destination through a common district theme with the appropriate development, while creating equity and opportunity for our community. Your participation and feedback is essential to getting it right,” says Ivan Holloway, Executive Director of Urban Impact Birmingham.

Beginning September 29th, there will be a series of community roundtables where residents, business and property owners and members from the Faith community will be encouraged to participate to hear the facts about this master plan and provide feedback and guidance on how this plan should be executed. Members of the community will also be asked to fill out a brief survey about the NW Downtown Birmingham quadrant and the master plan itself.

“The Civil Rights District and The Switch each have great potential on their own – but together, the partners and stakeholders of both districts can create unstoppable momentum,” said David Fleming, REV Birmingham President and CEO. “The City Center Master Plan calls these districts out as areas of opportunity. This Northwest Downtown plan is the next level of strategic, actionable steps toward more vibrant districts in this part of downtown.”

The public can register to participate in a community roundtable, take a brief survey, and learn more about the NW Downtown Birmingham Master Development Plan by visiting www.nwbhamplan.com.