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'''Tuxedo Court''' is a public housing project operated by the [[Housing Authority of the Birmingham District]] located at 2035 [[Avenue Q Ensley]] in the [[Tuxedo]] neighborhood of the [[Ensley]] adjacent to Exit 120 off [[I-20]]/[[I-59]]. The project is being completely rebuilt as the '''Tuxedo Court Hope VI Revitalization Project'''.
[[Image:Tuxedo Terrace.jpg|center|thumb|575px|Tuxedo Terrace in 2009]]
'''Tuxedo Terrace''' (formerly '''Tuxedo Court''') is a public housing project operated by the [[Housing Authority of the Birmingham District]] located at 2035 [[Avenue Q Ensley]] in the [[Tuxedo]] neighborhood of the [[Ensley]] adjacent to Exit 120 off [[I-20]]/[[I-59]]. The project was completely rebuilt beginning in [[2006]] and reopened in November [[2009]].


Construction of the original housing project was completed in [[1961]] after twelve blocks of existing housing were cleared. It takes its name from its close proximity to the historic [[Tuxedo Junction]]. The project included 110 separate buildings to house low-income residents. At its closure, this project contained 488 low-income units.
==History==
Construction of the original Tuxedo Court project was completed in [[1961]] after twelve blocks of existing housing were cleared. It took its name from its close proximity to the historic [[Tuxedo Junction]]. The project included 110 separate buildings to house low-income residents. At its closure, the project contained 488 low-income units.


Demolition of the 1961 housing began in [[2006]] as a result of a $20 million grant Hope VI grant from HUD received in July [[2004]]. The redevelopment will encompass a 306-unit mixed-income community with 220 apartments and 86 single-family houses. Half of the apartments will be reserved for public housing clients while the remainder will be leased at market rate. The single family homes will all be sold.
As the project declined, it became known as "The Brickyard".


In October 2006 the [[Jefferson County Commission]] committed $2 million toward infrastructure improvements at the revitalized community. In March [[2007]] it awarded a $14.8 million construction contract to Trawick Contractors for construction of phase one, however construction was delayed a month later when the authority rejected all bids for infrastructure work after learning of errors in the bid specifications. It awarded a $6.4 million infrastructure contract to Russo Corporation in June, but voted to terminate the contract a few months later before work began because of conflicts with City of Birmingham requirements.
==Rebuilding==
The $23 million redevelopment produced a mixed-income community with 290 units, of which 220 are apartments and the remainder duplexes and town homes. Half of the apartments are reserved for public housing clients while the remainder are leased at market rate. Initially, and at the urging of the [[Tuxedo neighborhood|Tuxedo Neighborhood Association]], the Housing Authority planned to build 86 single-family homes in the community as well. Those plans are on hold pending improvements in the housing market.


In January [[2008]], with the infrastructure work still not contracted, the authority awarded a $16 million construction contract to Trawick for the second phase of construction.
Demolition of the 1961 housing began in [[2006]] with funds from a $20 million grant Hope VI grant from HUD received in July [[2004]]. The homes were designed by [[Williams-Blackstock Architects]] to fit in with other [[Western Birmingham]] neighborhoods. Construction was managed by the Boulevard Group of Atlanta, Georgia. Ground was officially broken in May 2006, but there were several delays before construction could proceed.
 
In October 2006 the [[Jefferson County Commission]] committed $2 million toward infrastructure improvements at the revitalized community. In March [[2007]] it awarded a $14.8 million construction contract to Trawick Contractors for construction of phase one, however, construction was delayed a month later when the authority rejected all bids for infrastructure work after learning of errors in the bid specifications. It awarded a $6.4 million infrastructure contract to Russo Corporation in June, but voted to terminate the contract a few months later before work began because of conflicts with City of Birmingham requirements. The infrastructure contract was re-awarded to Russo at $6.3 million in February [[2008]], a month after the second phase of construction was awarded to Trawick at $16 million. Crews resumed work in late March.
 
In August 2008, the Authority voted to combine the two phases into a single project. Captsone Building Company was awarded a $21 million contract for all 306 units. According to HABD's executive director, combining both phases saved the Authority about $10 million while keeping the project on schedule. The federal grant funding was set to expire on [[October 1]], [[2009]].
 
In March 2009 the Authority scrapped its plans to include single-family houses in the development, citing the abysmal real estate market. The possibility of returning to the idea at a later time was left open. In July the board voted on various renaming proposals including "Steel Oaks", "Villas at Magnolia Trace" and "Renaissance Terrace" before selecting Tuxedo Terrace.
 
In March 2010, the nearby [[New Pleasant View Missionary Baptist Church]] announced plans to build a new sanctuary and renovate the [[1947]] building. The existing building would be retained for community development programs.
 
In September [[2010]] the Board approved a contract for architectural design for 21 single-family homes at Tuxedo Terrace, with an eye toward a total of 60 as funds become available.


==References==
==References==
* Norton, Ingrid (July 20, 2006) "From Dance Halls to Ghost Town: Recognizing Ensley’s Tuxedo Junction" ''Birmingham Weekley'' [http://www.bhamweekly.com/archived/pages/20060720_cover%20story.php]
* Peacock, Richard (January 25, 1954) "[http://bplonline.cdmhost.com/cdm/ref/collection/p4017coll2/id/798 Large-scale renovation underway in Tuxedo Junction slums]" {{BN}} - via [[Birmingham Public Library]] Digital Collections
* Birmingham Business Journal (June 4, 2004) "Birmingham wins $20M HUD grant." ''Birmingham Business Journal'' [http://birmingham.bizjournals.com/birmingham/stories/2004/05/31/daily26.html]
* "Birmingham wins $20M HUD grant." (June 4, 2004) {{BBJ}}
* Norris, Toraine (December 4, 2007) "Hope VI Project in Ensley could be delayed until next year." ''Birmingham News''
* Norton, Ingrid (July 20, 2006) "From Dance Halls to Ghost Town: Recognizing Ensley’s Tuxedo Junction" ''Birmingham Weekly'' [http://www.bhamweekly.com/archived/pages/20060720_cover%20story.php]
* Norris, Toraine (January 29, 2008) "Construction contract awarded for Hope VI program in Tuxedo Court in Birmingham." ''Birmingham News''
* Norris, Toraine (December 4, 2007) "Hope VI Project in Ensley could be delayed until next year." {{BN}}
* Norris, Toraine (January 29, 2008) "Construction contract awarded for Hope VI program in Tuxedo Court in Birmingham." {{BN}}
* Norris, Toraine (March 24, 2008) "Tuxedo Court community construction to begin in Birmingham." {{BN}}
* Norris, Toraine (August 19, 2008) "Tuxedo Court project still within budget with streamlined construction schedule, housing officials say." {{BN}}
* Gray, Jeremy (July 21, 2009) "Revamped Tuxedo Court public housing community to become Tuxedo Terrace." {{BN}}
* Gray, Jeremy (March 21, 2010) "New housing designed to breathe life into Birmingham's Ensley neighborhood." {{BN}}
* Gray, Jeremy (March 27, 2010) "Hope VI development in Ensley brings hope to pastor." {{BN}}
* Gray, Jeremy (September 21, 2010) "Birmingham Housing Authority: Park Place, Tuxedo Terrace look to expand." {{BN}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.habd.org/ Housing Authority of the Birmingham District official website]
* [http://www.habd.org/ Housing Authority of the Birmingham District] website
* [http://goo.gl/maps/VmX1 Tuxedo Terrace] at Google Maps
* [http://www.capstonebuilding.com/PROJECTS/CURRENTPROJECTS/TuxedoCourt/tabid/197/Default.aspx Tuxedo Terrace] at capstonebuilding.com


[[Category:1961 buildings]]
[[Category:1961 buildings]]
[[Category:2009 buildings]]
[[Category:HABD communities]]
[[Category:HABD communities]]
[[Category:Tuxedo neighborhood]]
[[Category:Williams Blackstock buildings]]
[[Category:Tuxedo]]

Latest revision as of 16:35, 27 May 2016

Tuxedo Terrace in 2009

Tuxedo Terrace (formerly Tuxedo Court) is a public housing project operated by the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District located at 2035 Avenue Q Ensley in the Tuxedo neighborhood of the Ensley adjacent to Exit 120 off I-20/I-59. The project was completely rebuilt beginning in 2006 and reopened in November 2009.

History

Construction of the original Tuxedo Court project was completed in 1961 after twelve blocks of existing housing were cleared. It took its name from its close proximity to the historic Tuxedo Junction. The project included 110 separate buildings to house low-income residents. At its closure, the project contained 488 low-income units.

As the project declined, it became known as "The Brickyard".

Rebuilding

The $23 million redevelopment produced a mixed-income community with 290 units, of which 220 are apartments and the remainder duplexes and town homes. Half of the apartments are reserved for public housing clients while the remainder are leased at market rate. Initially, and at the urging of the Tuxedo Neighborhood Association, the Housing Authority planned to build 86 single-family homes in the community as well. Those plans are on hold pending improvements in the housing market.

Demolition of the 1961 housing began in 2006 with funds from a $20 million grant Hope VI grant from HUD received in July 2004. The homes were designed by Williams-Blackstock Architects to fit in with other Western Birmingham neighborhoods. Construction was managed by the Boulevard Group of Atlanta, Georgia. Ground was officially broken in May 2006, but there were several delays before construction could proceed.

In October 2006 the Jefferson County Commission committed $2 million toward infrastructure improvements at the revitalized community. In March 2007 it awarded a $14.8 million construction contract to Trawick Contractors for construction of phase one, however, construction was delayed a month later when the authority rejected all bids for infrastructure work after learning of errors in the bid specifications. It awarded a $6.4 million infrastructure contract to Russo Corporation in June, but voted to terminate the contract a few months later before work began because of conflicts with City of Birmingham requirements. The infrastructure contract was re-awarded to Russo at $6.3 million in February 2008, a month after the second phase of construction was awarded to Trawick at $16 million. Crews resumed work in late March.

In August 2008, the Authority voted to combine the two phases into a single project. Captsone Building Company was awarded a $21 million contract for all 306 units. According to HABD's executive director, combining both phases saved the Authority about $10 million while keeping the project on schedule. The federal grant funding was set to expire on October 1, 2009.

In March 2009 the Authority scrapped its plans to include single-family houses in the development, citing the abysmal real estate market. The possibility of returning to the idea at a later time was left open. In July the board voted on various renaming proposals including "Steel Oaks", "Villas at Magnolia Trace" and "Renaissance Terrace" before selecting Tuxedo Terrace.

In March 2010, the nearby New Pleasant View Missionary Baptist Church announced plans to build a new sanctuary and renovate the 1947 building. The existing building would be retained for community development programs.

In September 2010 the Board approved a contract for architectural design for 21 single-family homes at Tuxedo Terrace, with an eye toward a total of 60 as funds become available.

References

External links

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