National architects help Pratt City tornado victims

They're the rock stars of rebuilding, heavy hitters in town with a purpose.

Some of the best architects in the country are in Birmingham, working to jumpstart rebuilding after the April tornadoes.  Their focus is on Pratt City and their help couldn't come at a better time.

"I think everyone in the neighborhood is tired," said Patricia Montgomery.

Montgomery and other are tired of seeing their neighborhood look the way it does.  Trees are still down, homes have been abandoned. While many are rebuilding, others are not and Montgomery says lately it doesn't seem like a whole lot of work is being done.

"I understand it's going to take a while to get stuff done but when you look out your house everyday and you see trees just laying, dead trees just laying there it makes you like, I'm so sick of this," said Montgomery. "I'm willing to get out there and help. My neighbors, I'm sure there are willing to get out there and help but we don't know where to start."

First they need a plan and that's why a team from the American Institute of Architects is in town.  They're here voluntarily, working with Pratt City leaders to develop a master plan for the community.  "We're here to be somewhat the pencils for the community," said Bert Gregory who is in charge of the project.

Gregory and his team toured the damaged areas Friday. "We had a group focused on housing, folks on transportation and mobility, a group on urban design architecture, landscape architecture, and economic development so we could hear from the community what the possibilities are for the greater Pratt City."

Montgomery just hopes they can get her neighborhood back the way it was. "You look out and you're used to seeing people's houses, going to work, when you go out in the morning your neighbors speaking to you. It feels a little dreary now."

That dreary feeling is just a touch of what they want to change.

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