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The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday approved a funding agreement to turn the historic Powell Steam Plant land into a national gathering place for people with sensory processing needs.
The deal will see the city pay $7 million toward the $39.5 million project from the locally based nonprofit KultureCity.
“This redevelopment has the potential to completely transform the immediate area. It kind of reminds me of when Regions Field was developed not far from there and how that served a foundation for the growth we’ve witnessed,” Council President Wardine Alexander said.
The project, called the KultureCity National Accessibility Park, has also received $5 million from the state, $3.5 million from Jefferson County and $25 million from private donors. According to city officials, the park will include specialized sensory-inclusive programming for individuals with autism, PTSD and other sensory needs. It will also have an exhibition hall and outdoor areas designed for community gatherings, performances and public use.
Local leaders expect the park to have 250,000 visitors annually.
Based in Vestavia Hills, KultureCity offers sensor inclusion certifications for individuals and venues. The organization also offers mobile sensory stations for venues without dedicated sensory rooms.
“This organization does outstanding work and we’re so proud to welcome them on this new endeavor. This center will be an incredible resource for families and individuals, not just locally but from all over the South,” Alexander said.
Built in 1895, the former coal-burning Powell Steam Plant, at 1830 Powell Ave., provided steam and electrical power to businesses and downtown streetcars. The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in January 2015.
Land Sale OK’d for Professional Karting Facility
The council on Tuesday also approved the sale of 25 acres along Barber Motorsports Parkway where developers hope to build a world-class kart racing facility. According to city officials, competitive kart racing serves as a key development pathway for aspiring Formula 1 drivers.
The Hoover-based BK Propco purchased the site in the Grand River Technology Park for $1.8 million.
“This is going to be a development that really complements Barber Motorsports Park. I’m excited about seeing this land that the city has owned being put to use in a way that builds off what’s already been developed,” said Councilor Hunter Williams, who chairs the Economic Development and Tourism Committee.
“I think we can point to the Mercedes and Porsche schools that are out there already to see how successful this karting facility will be. Those bring in a ton of people from other countries and around the U.S. into Birmingham to experience this. When you have something unique like that, we know it will attract people from all over.”
14th Avenue North Renovation, Pratt-Ensley Framework Plan
In other business, the council:
- Approved a redevelopment agreement in which Baldwin Properties will acquire and renovate a vacant building at 1909 14th Ave. North. The group is investing $1.8 million to restore the building into a mixed-use development containing residential rental units and commercial space. As part of the agreement, the city is providing incentives in the form of a $300,000 forgivable loan. Once completed, the retail and commercial spaces are estimated to employ 25-30 people, according to city officials.
- Set a public hearing on Aug. 4 to consider zoning boundary changes for all properties in the Pratt-Ensley Framework Plan. It’s one of nine such plans developed under the city’s 2013 Comprehensive Plan. Local leaders say the documents translate citywide goals into localized strategies for land use, housing, transportation, economic development and public space.
