Musician's Cooperative

The Musician's Cooperative is a communal residence and music studio planned for the J. R. Copeland residence at 1210 32nd Street North in Norwood. The 9,000 square-foot house, built in the 1910s, has 15 bedrooms. Twin brothers Tyler and Vinny Trierweiler, who operate a similar enterprise in South Bend, Indiana, are leasing the house and have secured numerous applications for resident artists. The hope to open in March 2011.

In addition to communal living areas and meals, residents would share performance space and recording facilities in the house. A community garden would be planted in the back yard, and utilities, including wi-fi internet, are included in the rent. Monthly performances would be open to the public, and goings on at the cooperative would be documented in online videos.

After announcing their plans, the Trierweilers found significant opposition from neighborhood residents. Robert Gilmore, president of the Norwood Neighborhood Association, cited a long-standing resolution against communal living facilities in the area. The project would require a special exception from the Birmingham Zoning Board of Adjustments, and approvals from the Jefferson County Department of Health, city housing inspectors, and county lodging inspectors.

References

• Wolfson, Hannah (January 25, 2011) "Norwood music co-op plans place to crash, create in Birmingham." Birmingham News
• Ruisi, Anne (February 13, 2011) "Proposed Norwood musicians co-op sparks debate." Birmingham News

External links

• The Norwood Mansion at themusicianscoop.com