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Norwood Neighborhood Revitalization Plan
Auburn Urban Studio – 2005/6
The Norwood neighborhood has incredible assets. These are outlined
below and they, along with the neighborhood’s strong leadership and
programs like the Weed and Seed, position Norwood for exceptional
opportunities.
The Neighborhood Development Initiative Plan – illustrated in plans
and diagrams – suggests three strong concepts to support the array of
neighborhood assets.
Auburn Urban Studio – 2005/6
The Norwood neighborhood has incredible assets. These are outlined
below and they, along with the neighborhood’s strong leadership and
programs like the Weed and Seed, position Norwood for exceptional
opportunities.
The Neighborhood Development Initiative Plan – illustrated in plans
and diagrams – suggests three strong concepts to support the array of
neighborhood assets.
Concept One – Develop the Greenway Along Village Creek
This greenway is part of the city’s long term greenway proposal along
Village Creek. It is the realization of a longstanding proposal made by
the Olmsted Brothers in 1924. The two “trailheads” of the linear
greenway are in place (Patton Park) or in the development phase
(Ensley/South Pratt). These two trailheads represent distinct anchors
to the greenway. Norwood is immediately adjacent to Patton Park
and a new recreation area that will be developed through funding
from McWane Pipe. The Norwood Greenway component along Village
Creek develops the strong linear nature of the overall greenway, is
contiguous with residential, and would provide a third distinct
prototype for the overall greenway plan. The development of the park
would be designed much like the greenway along Shades Creek and
Mountain Brook Parkway in Mountain Brook.
The development of this portion of the greenway also has the
potential to spur neighborhood reinvestment from traditional market
sources – particularly in the area of low-end rental properties north of
the elementary school and adjacent to the proposed greenway.
Portions of this greenway to the west where ball fields and an
amphitheater are illustrated can potentially be funded with brown
field grant resources.
This greenway is part of the city’s long term greenway proposal along
Village Creek. It is the realization of a longstanding proposal made by
the Olmsted Brothers in 1924. The two “trailheads” of the linear
greenway are in place (Patton Park) or in the development phase
(Ensley/South Pratt). These two trailheads represent distinct anchors
to the greenway. Norwood is immediately adjacent to Patton Park
and a new recreation area that will be developed through funding
from McWane Pipe. The Norwood Greenway component along Village
Creek develops the strong linear nature of the overall greenway, is
contiguous with residential, and would provide a third distinct
prototype for the overall greenway plan. The development of the park
would be designed much like the greenway along Shades Creek and
Mountain Brook Parkway in Mountain Brook.
The development of this portion of the greenway also has the
potential to spur neighborhood reinvestment from traditional market
sources – particularly in the area of low-end rental properties north of
the elementary school and adjacent to the proposed greenway.
Portions of this greenway to the west where ball fields and an
amphitheater are illustrated can potentially be funded with brown
field grant resources.
Village Creek Greenway is at the top of the diagram above; Norwood Boulevard is at
the bottom. The elementary school is the blue building above. The proposed new
housing between the school and the Greenway is a mix of single family, medium
density townhouses and condos. This housing replaces sub-standard apartments
that are not contributing to the neighborhood’s potential. To view a larger image, click
here.
the bottom. The elementary school is the blue building above. The proposed new
housing between the school and the Greenway is a mix of single family, medium
density townhouses and condos. This housing replaces sub-standard apartments
that are not contributing to the neighborhood’s potential. To view a larger image, click
here.
Concept Two – Capture the Development Opportunities
Along 12th Avenue
12th Avenue is a gateway to the city, BJCC and the Norwood
Neighborhood from Interstate 20/59. It offers exceptional
opportunities for mixed-use development: medium density housing,
neighborhood oriented service retail; and regional retail/commercial,
lodging and office that captures the opportunities of adjacency to the
freeway and the expanding convention center and entertainment at
BJCC.
There is an easy exit from Interstate 20/59 at 12th. It is a convenient
and easy gateway to the proposed BJCC expansion, Carraway
Hospital and the northern neighborhoods and industrial areas. This
area – particularly the sward south of 12th Avenue, east of Carraway
and north of the freeway – has strong potential for development as a
mixed-use complex to include outlet retail, eateries, lodging and
office. The high visibility from the interstate and the adjacency to the
convention center provides a potential to capture a strong sales tax
base for the city and for investment in the neighborhood – particularly
in the development of the Village Creek Greenway.
There is also a site north of 12th and south of the middle school that
offers prime opportunities for mid-rise subsidized senior housing. The
site is on city owned property; adjacent to a park, community center
and school; two blocks from a hospital; in context with an established
neighborhood; and offers great potential for views, amenities and
development as a highly energy efficient building with the proposed
orientation. This project is an exceptional candidate for federal
funding under the HUD 202 program. A similar project is Episcopal
Place on 24th near Highland Avenue.
Along 12th Avenue
12th Avenue is a gateway to the city, BJCC and the Norwood
Neighborhood from Interstate 20/59. It offers exceptional
opportunities for mixed-use development: medium density housing,
neighborhood oriented service retail; and regional retail/commercial,
lodging and office that captures the opportunities of adjacency to the
freeway and the expanding convention center and entertainment at
BJCC.
There is an easy exit from Interstate 20/59 at 12th. It is a convenient
and easy gateway to the proposed BJCC expansion, Carraway
Hospital and the northern neighborhoods and industrial areas. This
area – particularly the sward south of 12th Avenue, east of Carraway
and north of the freeway – has strong potential for development as a
mixed-use complex to include outlet retail, eateries, lodging and
office. The high visibility from the interstate and the adjacency to the
convention center provides a potential to capture a strong sales tax
base for the city and for investment in the neighborhood – particularly
in the development of the Village Creek Greenway.
There is also a site north of 12th and south of the middle school that
offers prime opportunities for mid-rise subsidized senior housing. The
site is on city owned property; adjacent to a park, community center
and school; two blocks from a hospital; in context with an established
neighborhood; and offers great potential for views, amenities and
development as a highly energy efficient building with the proposed
orientation. This project is an exceptional candidate for federal
funding under the HUD 202 program. A similar project is Episcopal
Place on 24th near Highland Avenue.
Diagrammatic illustration of new development potential between 12th Avenue and
the interstate (20/59.) The larger areas of red represent a pedestrian oriented outlet
retail center with landscaped parking to either side. This parking can also serve as
overflow parking for the BJCC. The yellow/orange to the right of the outlet center is
proposed lodging immediately off of 20/59 and adjacent to a family oriented
restaurant to the east (also in red) at the intersection of 12th and 31st. The yellow
block adjacent to the blue middle school above is proposed senior housing on city
owned property. To view a larger image, click here.
the interstate (20/59.) The larger areas of red represent a pedestrian oriented outlet
retail center with landscaped parking to either side. This parking can also serve as
overflow parking for the BJCC. The yellow/orange to the right of the outlet center is
proposed lodging immediately off of 20/59 and adjacent to a family oriented
restaurant to the east (also in red) at the intersection of 12th and 31st. The yellow
block adjacent to the blue middle school above is proposed senior housing on city
owned property. To view a larger image, click here.
Concept Three – Strengthen the Fabric and
Reinvestment Viability of the Existing Historic
Neighborhood.
Historic Norwood is a city and regional asset. The housing stock in
Norwood equals or surpasses any neighborhood in Birmingham.
Norwood’s location – in sight of downtown, the convention center,
museum, Linn Park and the region’s major employment center – and
five minutes from the airport – make it a “neighborhood of choice” for
those seeking the best of both worlds: detached single family living
and virtually no commute.
The Village Creek Greenway will create an additional amenity and
additional value/appreciation. There must also be programs to
support reinvestment; provide for those on fixed/low incomes who are
long standing residents; and an emphasis on sustaining a variety of
house sizes and price ranges. The neighborhood has a community
development non-profit in place to help support these goals.
Additionally the neighborhood needs to become an historic district
with corresponding overlay districts and reviews to protect property
value and the integrity of the historic neighborhood. This is
important additionally to protect the neighborhood from commercial
encroachment - particularly as development related to BJCC expands.
Finally, traffic calming measures should be put into place to
discourage through traffic and to reinforce Norwood as a pedestrian
friendly and walk-able neighborhood. This is particularly important
along 31st street and other N/S connectors that now serves as short-
cuts for through traffic going north.
Norwood is not unlike the Forest Park of 30 years ago: great historic
housing stock, adjacent recreational amenities and exceptional
location. The Auburn revitalization plan can help Norwood realize
the potential of these assets and lead a revitalization of the entire
northern edge of downtown. But, Norwood is at a tipping point. New
residents are already moving in to renovate the older homes alongside
long-standing residents. Organizations like HECA, Cornerstone and
CAWACO are investing time, resources and commitment to the
neighborhood. Strong leadership and a 501c3 are in place and
numerous churches and faith-based organizations are involved in the
revitalization effort. It is important now to encourage this momentum
through increased work with the City, ONB and the local non-profit
InTown. It is also important to expand the significant work and
influence of the McWane Co. with a broader array of partnerships with
local institutions and industry. There are many projects within the
overall neighborhood plan that could benefit from champions,
investors and support. The benefits: a stronger more stable
neighborhood in context with these partners; better near-by housing/
neighborhoods for employees to live; recreation - playing fields and
walking trails - as after-shift amenities; and a new sense of potential
for other historic neighborhoods across the City.
Reinvestment Viability of the Existing Historic
Neighborhood.
Historic Norwood is a city and regional asset. The housing stock in
Norwood equals or surpasses any neighborhood in Birmingham.
Norwood’s location – in sight of downtown, the convention center,
museum, Linn Park and the region’s major employment center – and
five minutes from the airport – make it a “neighborhood of choice” for
those seeking the best of both worlds: detached single family living
and virtually no commute.
The Village Creek Greenway will create an additional amenity and
additional value/appreciation. There must also be programs to
support reinvestment; provide for those on fixed/low incomes who are
long standing residents; and an emphasis on sustaining a variety of
house sizes and price ranges. The neighborhood has a community
development non-profit in place to help support these goals.
Additionally the neighborhood needs to become an historic district
with corresponding overlay districts and reviews to protect property
value and the integrity of the historic neighborhood. This is
important additionally to protect the neighborhood from commercial
encroachment - particularly as development related to BJCC expands.
Finally, traffic calming measures should be put into place to
discourage through traffic and to reinforce Norwood as a pedestrian
friendly and walk-able neighborhood. This is particularly important
along 31st street and other N/S connectors that now serves as short-
cuts for through traffic going north.
Norwood is not unlike the Forest Park of 30 years ago: great historic
housing stock, adjacent recreational amenities and exceptional
location. The Auburn revitalization plan can help Norwood realize
the potential of these assets and lead a revitalization of the entire
northern edge of downtown. But, Norwood is at a tipping point. New
residents are already moving in to renovate the older homes alongside
long-standing residents. Organizations like HECA, Cornerstone and
CAWACO are investing time, resources and commitment to the
neighborhood. Strong leadership and a 501c3 are in place and
numerous churches and faith-based organizations are involved in the
revitalization effort. It is important now to encourage this momentum
through increased work with the City, ONB and the local non-profit
InTown. It is also important to expand the significant work and
influence of the McWane Co. with a broader array of partnerships with
local institutions and industry. There are many projects within the
overall neighborhood plan that could benefit from champions,
investors and support. The benefits: a stronger more stable
neighborhood in context with these partners; better near-by housing/
neighborhoods for employees to live; recreation - playing fields and
walking trails - as after-shift amenities; and a new sense of potential
for other historic neighborhoods across the City.
| Overall Diagram of the Neighborhood Proposal |
The greenway along Village Creek is to the top of the diagram. Norwood Boulevard is
the green sward in the middle. 12th is the red zone to the lower edge of the diagram.
Carraway Boulevard is to the left (large blue asterisk indicates Carraway Hospital.)
The yellow area below the greenway is proposed new housing to replace existing
apartments that are non-contributing to the neighborhood. Vanderbilt Road is to the far
right. To view a larger image, click here.
the green sward in the middle. 12th is the red zone to the lower edge of the diagram.
Carraway Boulevard is to the left (large blue asterisk indicates Carraway Hospital.)
The yellow area below the greenway is proposed new housing to replace existing
apartments that are non-contributing to the neighborhood. Vanderbilt Road is to the far
right. To view a larger image, click here.
In the process of developing this plan, Urban Studio conducted
a series of "town hall" meetings with the residents of Norwood
in an effort to identify the neighborhood's assets and
opportunities. Following is a list of suggestions to make the
most of those assets and to address the opportunities.
a series of "town hall" meetings with the residents of Norwood
in an effort to identify the neighborhood's assets and
opportunities. Following is a list of suggestions to make the
most of those assets and to address the opportunities.
• Capture the opportunities of your adjacency to downtown
• Be part of meeting the city center’s need for close-in single family houses, condos, and
live/work units
• Capture opportunities for retail/commercial revitalization with the development of the BJCC
dome/entertainment district
• Capture the opportunities for appropriate development associated with the interstate
• Capture the opportunities of the developing greenway/park along Village Creek
HISTORIC DISTINCTION
• Protect, preserve and promote your historic homes and historic neighborhood character
• Create a historic district, guidelines, review process and programs for advancing historic
preservation
THE BOULEVARD
• Celebrate the distinction of historic Norwood Boulevard
VILLAGE CREEK GREENWAY & PARK
• Create terraced areas and retention ponds – integrated into the development of amenities –
that provide appropriate means for flood mitigation
• Create amenities within the park that serve the school, the neighborhood and the area
including: amphitheater; walking-trails; playing fields; areas for passive recreation, picnics and
children; pavilions and kiosks for family reunions, bar-b-ques, and parties; and outdoor
classrooms, nature areas and interpretive zones
• Create a new “scenic” street along the southern edge of the greenway/park to provide good
park access, zones of parallel parking for park users, safety in and along the greenway, and
potential for the development of condos/upscale housing along the park
HOUSING DEVELOPMENT – RESTORATION & NEW INFILL HOUSING
• Develop programs, incentives and mechanisms for encouraging the preservation and
revitalization of existing historic homes and the development of new appropriate infill housing
within the neighborhood
• Create strategies for redevelopment of apartments/housing authority housing north of the
elementary school
NEIGHBORHOOD LEGIBILITY
• Create a hierarchy of streets with signage, street lighting and ornamental plantings/trees to
give legibility to the neighborhood
• Create strong gateways at 15th, 28th and 32nd that are “residential” entries to the
neighborhood
• Develop a strategy for discouraging thru-traffic along 31st
• Create a network of “walking trails” through the neighborhood that:
- connect to the greenway and trails along Village Creek
- provide interpretive opportunities for a historic walking tour
- create smaller zones of “neighborhood watch” attention
NEIGHBORHOOD RETAIL/COMMERCIAL
• Create a redevelopment strategy for 12th that encourages and retains appropriate
retail/commercial that serves thru-traffic; neighborhood needs; and the future BJCC expansion
• Capture the potential for lodging, niche retail and services associated with the interstate and
the BJCC
• Create a strategy for protecting the neighborhood from commercial encroachment
• Create a parking strategy to protect the neighborhood from unplanned overflow parking
during events at the expanded BJCC
GROUP HOMES WITHIN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
• Work with the city and health department to bring all group facilities into highest and best
practices to appropriately serve their residents
• Work with city and zoning board to discourage future spot zoning
ACCESS TO BETTER PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
• Work to have the Dart bus extend service into the neighborhood past Carraway, down 15th
to the Trolley Stop, along 32st and back to Carraway along 12th
SUPPORT AND DEVELOP THE CAPACITY OF YOUR RESOURCE CENTER
• Develop the Resource Center as a Community Development Corporation to support infill
housing development, neighborhood amenities and community advocacy
• Continue with the spirit and tools of your Weed and Seed Program
SUPPORT EXPANSION AND DEVELOPMENT OF ADJACENT LIGHT INDUSTRY
• Encourage the redevelopment of residual pockets of residential across the interstate for
expanded appropriate and light industry
• Be part of meeting the city center’s need for close-in single family houses, condos, and
live/work units
• Capture opportunities for retail/commercial revitalization with the development of the BJCC
dome/entertainment district
• Capture the opportunities for appropriate development associated with the interstate
• Capture the opportunities of the developing greenway/park along Village Creek
HISTORIC DISTINCTION
• Protect, preserve and promote your historic homes and historic neighborhood character
• Create a historic district, guidelines, review process and programs for advancing historic
preservation
THE BOULEVARD
• Celebrate the distinction of historic Norwood Boulevard
VILLAGE CREEK GREENWAY & PARK
• Create terraced areas and retention ponds – integrated into the development of amenities –
that provide appropriate means for flood mitigation
• Create amenities within the park that serve the school, the neighborhood and the area
including: amphitheater; walking-trails; playing fields; areas for passive recreation, picnics and
children; pavilions and kiosks for family reunions, bar-b-ques, and parties; and outdoor
classrooms, nature areas and interpretive zones
• Create a new “scenic” street along the southern edge of the greenway/park to provide good
park access, zones of parallel parking for park users, safety in and along the greenway, and
potential for the development of condos/upscale housing along the park
HOUSING DEVELOPMENT – RESTORATION & NEW INFILL HOUSING
• Develop programs, incentives and mechanisms for encouraging the preservation and
revitalization of existing historic homes and the development of new appropriate infill housing
within the neighborhood
• Create strategies for redevelopment of apartments/housing authority housing north of the
elementary school
NEIGHBORHOOD LEGIBILITY
• Create a hierarchy of streets with signage, street lighting and ornamental plantings/trees to
give legibility to the neighborhood
• Create strong gateways at 15th, 28th and 32nd that are “residential” entries to the
neighborhood
• Develop a strategy for discouraging thru-traffic along 31st
• Create a network of “walking trails” through the neighborhood that:
- connect to the greenway and trails along Village Creek
- provide interpretive opportunities for a historic walking tour
- create smaller zones of “neighborhood watch” attention
NEIGHBORHOOD RETAIL/COMMERCIAL
• Create a redevelopment strategy for 12th that encourages and retains appropriate
retail/commercial that serves thru-traffic; neighborhood needs; and the future BJCC expansion
• Capture the potential for lodging, niche retail and services associated with the interstate and
the BJCC
• Create a strategy for protecting the neighborhood from commercial encroachment
• Create a parking strategy to protect the neighborhood from unplanned overflow parking
during events at the expanded BJCC
GROUP HOMES WITHIN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
• Work with the city and health department to bring all group facilities into highest and best
practices to appropriately serve their residents
• Work with city and zoning board to discourage future spot zoning
ACCESS TO BETTER PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
• Work to have the Dart bus extend service into the neighborhood past Carraway, down 15th
to the Trolley Stop, along 32st and back to Carraway along 12th
SUPPORT AND DEVELOP THE CAPACITY OF YOUR RESOURCE CENTER
• Develop the Resource Center as a Community Development Corporation to support infill
housing development, neighborhood amenities and community advocacy
• Continue with the spirit and tools of your Weed and Seed Program
SUPPORT EXPANSION AND DEVELOPMENT OF ADJACENT LIGHT INDUSTRY
• Encourage the redevelopment of residual pockets of residential across the interstate for
expanded appropriate and light industry
School of Architecture – Auburn University - Auburn Urban Studio – 2005/6
Professor Cheryl Morgan, AIA - Gresham Professor of Architecture &
Director
Professor Cheryl Morgan, AIA - Gresham Professor of Architecture &
Director
| To view architectural renderings of the new Greenway housing types, click here or on the image below. |
| To view an architectural rendering of Norwood's new commercial/retail development, click here or on the image below. |
With support from McWane Cast Iron Pipe Company, the Norwood Neighborhood Association contracted with Auburn University's Center for Architecture and Urban Studies (Urban Studio) to develop a Small Town Plan for Norwood's residential and business districts. Following is the plan. |