Birmingham Board of Education building

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The Birmingham Board of Education Administration Building is the headquarters for the Birmingham Board of Education. It is located at 2015 Park Place, facing Linn Park and adjacent to 20th Street North.

The board acquired the property by condemnation in 1959. At the time, landowner Ella Lee Smith petitioned state courts to issue an injunction against the board. Her attorneys contended that the powers of condemnation granted to the board were only to be used for school facilities, not administrative buildings.

The headquarters property is considered a prime location and has attracted inquiries from developers. Beginning in 2004 the City of Birmingham has made four requests for the Board to sell the property to the city. At that time an Orlando developer was proposing a luxury hotel at the site. The issue was raised again in early 2007 when the city agreed to fund teacher buyouts to help bail out the system. Since taking office in November of that year, Mayor Larry Langford has twice requested the property, currently valued at $6 million, in exchange for the board's debts to the city. Board President W. J. Maye has rejected each request.

References

  • Bryant, Joseph D. (June 4, 2008) "Langford, Smitherman want Birmingham Board of Education property - again." Birmingham News
  • "Suit against school board to be appealed" (January 28, 1959) Birmingham News - accessed June 4, 2008 via Birmingham Public Library Digital Collections.
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