|
|
 |
Alabama
Birmingham leaders expect an innovative revitalization plan ...
Birmingham leaders expect an innovative revitalization plan for the Fountain Heights neighborhood, the city's most neglected downtown residential section, to provide a model for rescuing other blighted inner-city areas. According to the plan, unanimously approved by the City Council, the city will use its power of eminent domain for 72 of the neighborhood's 200 vacant lots and houses, make infrastructure improvements and work with developers and community groups to build and rehabilitate houses for residents at all income levels. City Deputy Planning Director Jim Fenstermaker notes that clustering and jump-starting redevelopment in the neighborhood's four target areas would gradually increase adjacent property values, or create 'pockets of light' ... from which we hope to grow an entire neighborhood revitalization effort. The plan to revitalize the Fountain Heights' residential section removes the mayor's main objection to putting $22 million in city funds into two other downtown redevelopment projects that are eligible for a $35 million federal matching grant under the Hope VI program. 5/23/2000
|
|
E-mail
to a Friend
View
Printer-friendly page 
