Cooper Green Housing Community
The Cooper Green Housing Community is a 312-unit housing project located at 1501 Arthur Shores Drive in Ishkooda. The property is administrated under the jurisdiction of the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District and managed by Pernita Banks. Community president is Addie Walton.
The community was built in 1972, and is named in honor of former Birmingham mayor Cooper Green.
As of 1999 units at Cooper Green were rented in the range of $204 for 1 bedroom units up to $467 for 4 bedroom units.
In 2003 the HABD revealed plans to demolish all of the community's buildings and build 250 new units on the same site. The Birmingham office of the Department of Housing and Urban Development recommended against demolition and argued that the authority should proceed with previous plans to refurbish the existing units. The renovation, planned by Taylor Design Associates was, at the time, estimated to require $22 million.
The Birmingham City Council approved an expenditure of $1,171,000 in June 2005 for improvements to the Community, including security screens, doors and screen doors as well as landscaping and office renovations.
In 2005 the HABD applied to HUD to demolish 100 units at Cooper Green, beginning in August. Bids received for the renovation plan in June 2006 came in at $44 and $47 million and were both rejected. The board re-bid the project in phases and had to meet an August 30 deadline to tap into a $112 million bond pool shared with other state housing agencies.
The first phase of renovation was awarded to the Wild Building Company of Morristown, Tennessee on August 7, 2006. The $20 million contract included renovation of 102 apartments, demolition of 23 buildings, and construction of a management office, community building, maintenance shop and day care. The number of units after completion of the project will be 225, down from 311. Wild was obligated to insure 22% minority participation on its contract.
Theft of copper water pipes caused significant damage and a water bill of over $100,000. HABD was only able to shut off water to the project in late November, 2006 after the last residents had moved out.
In September 2008 the HABD amended its contract with the Wild Building Company, agreeing to pay $4.1 million in order to proceed with the second and third phases of renovation at Cooper Green. The amendment covers the renovation of 22 apartments in four buildings.
Sandra Gregory abduction
On May 31, 2006 a sport-utility vehicle used in the abduction of attorney Sandra Gregory was found abandoned at Cooper Green. Police searched the neighborhood most of the day until she and her abductor were found in a motel in Homewood.
References
- Norris, Toraine (June 22, 2006) "Housing authority rejects renovation bids." Birmingham News
- Norris, Toraine (July 28, 2006) "Cooper Green Homes work on hold again". Birmingham News
- Norris, Toraine (August 8, 2006) "Firm gets $20 million contract in Cooper Green Homes renovation." Birmingham News
- Norris, Toraine (December 4, 2006) "Cooper Green families out; Housing Authority to address thefts". Birmingham News
- Gray, Jeremy (September 23, 2008) "Birmingham Housing authority OKs Cooper Green Homes contract change." Birmingham News