Birmingham Neighborhood Projects Target Housing Access and Local Amenities for Residents

A $50 million HUD Choice Neighborhoods grant is transforming Smithfield, College Hills, and Graymont through a seven-phase redevelopment plan aiming for complete rebuilding by 2031, with 547 residents moving into new affordable housing.

Housing Changes in Established Neighborhoods

The grant targets three specific neighborhoods where residents have faced older housing stock. The plan focuses on rebuilding to create updated living spaces while keeping affordability in place. This approach allows current residents to remain connected to their communities during the transition.

Local families stand to gain from units designed for long-term stability. The seven-phase structure spreads work across years so that moves can occur in stages rather than all at once.

Projects on Former Sites and Downtown Blocks

Star Uptown construction began in early 2026 on the former Carraway Hospital site, introducing new cottages and townhomes expected by early 2027. These homes replace an unused medical facility and add residential options in an area undergoing reuse.

The Yeilding, a 2026 redevelopment of the historic Yeilding Building at 2129 2nd Avenue N in downtown Birmingham, is converting a former department store into a mixed-use facility near popular local spots. The change turns a single-purpose structure into one that can support both housing and other uses within walking distance of existing businesses.

Green Space and Health Facility Additions

Hueytown is opening a 400+ acre nature preserve in the first quarter of 2026, marking a significant new neighborhood development outside the immediate Birmingham city center. The preserve provides open land for recreation that residents in surrounding areas can reach without traveling far.

Andrews Sports Medicine is redeveloping a portion of the former Brookwood Village in Homewood into a new health facility following approval by the Homewood City Council. The project places medical services in a location that previously held retail space, giving nearby residents easier access to care.

These efforts together address housing supply, recreational access, and health services in one period. Residents can track progress through public updates on the grant phases and construction timelines already released by city and county offices. People interested in the new units or preserve access should monitor announcements from the involved housing authorities and local governments for application details as phases advance.