Mayor Bell announces plans for Birmingham's future

Friday morning, Birmingham Mayor William Bell announced the launch of a city-wide process to create a comprehensive 20-year plan for the city. Over the next 18 months, a team of architects, engineers, environmentalists and more – led by consultant group Goody Clancy – will host meetings throughout the city to get residents' input as they draft the plan.

"When Mayor Bell asked us to work here, it wasn't to create the plan for all of you. It was to work with all of you to help you create your plan," explained David Dixon with Goody Clancy.

Along with revitalizing many of the city's oldest neighborhoods, rebuilding the communities that were devastated by the recent tornados is a main goal for the comprehensive plan.

 "As many of you know, April 27 changed a lot of things here in Birmingham. We want to place special emphasis on the redevelopment of those areas that were struck by the tornado," said Bell.

The empty lots and untouched lots are still in the clean-up process. But starting next week, the city will be able to enter all private properties, because the City Council approved a measure using the state authority of the public health office.

"What I envision is that people who were slightly older, retired, paid off their mortgages on their home – they don't want to take on a new mortgage. We've got to find ways to either build duplexes, condominiums or townhomes, so they will have less maintenance costs to their living arrangements," explained Bell.

Bell also mentioned leaving some lots empty to create green spaces, and that some homeowners are already getting permits to build larger homes. But some residents, like Tom Robinson, who has lived in his Smithfield Estates home nearly 40 years, cannot imagine change.

"They can build it back just like it was. That would be find with me," said Robinson. Another Smithfield Estates resident, LaTonya Nelson, plans to change the layout of her home as she rebuilds, but hopes only homes will be rebuilt in her neighborhood.

"Even before the tornados, we actually took a lot of pride in our area. Therefore, we do want the same mindset of people to actually come in. Because when you own something, you're going to take care of it," explained Nelson.

 But whether it's getting back to  normal, or building something bigger and better – it will ultimately be up to the people to decide.

"It's what kind of community the people who are committed to coming back to that area want to see," said Bell.