This week, the City of Birmingham announced plans to apply for the Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant program to help transform the city with a focus on multiple communities. City leaders are considering making changes to the neighborhoods of Smithfield, College Hills and Graymont. This is not the first time the city has applied for the federal grant. City leaders submitted a request last year, but it was denied. If this year’s application is approved, a local pastor hopes the plans will protect residents near his church. Pastor Christopher Hamlin leads Tabernacle Baptist Church. His church is in the heart of Smithfield. “I lived in Birmingham for 32 years,” Hamlin said. “I saw how Metropolitan Gardens was demolished until now and a few other housing projects that have been rehabilitated including Loveman Village.” affordable housing in the area. “Hearing that the possibility of a $55 million grant to come and revitalize Smithfield,” Hamlin said, “is a remarkable investment the city will make.” A total of 1,100 new affordable homes will be built across Smithfield using the grant funds. These units would generate more than $242 million in the Magic City, but Hamlin and others in the area have concerns. They want to make sure people are protected. “When they are forced to move, where will they live, and once the housing project is complete, will they be able to come back and afford it?” Hamlin asked. He hopes rebuilding affordable housing in Smithfield will be the start of improving the quality of life for residents of the community. the quality of fresh produce may not be as fresh as other places,” Hamlin said. On Friday, Mayor Randall Woodfin tweeted in part “with the support of local and federal partners…the city can create a new Smithfield…one that can be a trailblazer for innovative neighborhoods in the future.” “But Hamlin said, ‘The proof is always in the pudding. “The city will match the grant funds with $35 million over eight years. WVTM 13 has reached out to city leaders for comment, but we’re told nothing is final until the grant money is n isn’t gotten in. No word on when that will be.
This week, the City of Birmingham announced plans to apply for the Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant program to help transform the city with a focus on multiple communities. City leaders are considering making changes to the neighborhoods of Smithfield, College Hills and Graymont.
This is not the first time the city has applied for a federal grant. City leaders submitted a request last year, but it was denied. If this year’s application is approved, a local pastor hopes the plans will protect residents near his church.
Pastor Christopher Hamlin leads Tabernacle Baptist Church. His church is in the heart of Smithfield.
“I lived in Birmingham for 32 years,” Hamlin said. “I saw how Metropolitan Gardens was demolished until now and a few other housing projects that have been rehabilitated including Loveman Village.”
He’s happy to see the city trying to make improvements and excited about what could come from the grant to revitalize affordable housing in the area.
“Hearing that the possibility of a $55 million grant to come and revitalize Smithfield,” Hamlin said, “is a remarkable investment the city will make.”
A total of 1,100 new affordable homes will be built across Smithfield using the grant funds. These units would generate more than $242 million in the Magic City, but Hamlin and others in the area have concerns. They want to make sure people are protected.
“When they are forced to move, where will they live, and once the housing project is complete, will they be able to come back and afford it?” Hamlin asked.
He hopes rebuilding affordable housing in Smithfield will be the start of improving the quality of life for residents of the community.
“Residents have to go out or depend on these mom-and-pop shops that charge exorbitant amounts and the quality of fresh produce may not be as fresh as in other places,” Hamlin said.
On Friday, Mayor Randall Woodfin tweeted in part “with the support of local and federal partners…the city can create a new Smithfield…which can be a trailblazer for innovative neighborhoods in the future.” “
But Hamlin said: “The proof is always in the pudding.”
The city will match the grant funds with $35 million over eight years. WVTM 13 has reached out to city leaders for comment, but we’re told nothing is final until the grant money is secured. No word on when that will be.
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