Developers Receive Approval For New Downtown Publix Designs, Permits
The Birmingham Design Review Board on Wednesday approved developer’s design plans and permits for a Publix grocery store downtown at 3rd Avenue South and 20th Street. The 35,000 square foot grocery and pharmacy will anchor a $20 million dollar development that will include three apartment buildings, retail stores, restaurants, and office space. Dick Schmalz of RGS Properties Inc. and Scott Bryant of Scott M. Bryant & Co.’s presented renderings to the board.
The Publix could open as early as Summer 2016. Many locals are excited about the announcement.
“When we moved downtown there wasn’t a full service grocery store, and it didn’t deter us,” said Michelle Newberry, who has lived downtown with her husband and daughter for two years. “But now having this where we can walk, we can ride, we can still drive to grab diapers and have it right downtown, where we don’t even have to get on the expressway — is going to be icing on the cake.”
The new Publix will look similar to most store locations throughout the state with slight adjustments to fit the urban setting. Architect Tammy Cohen said the plans include a glass elevator, an upper parking deck, and green space.
But the new development is about more than just convenience. David Fleming, President and CEO of Rev Birmingham, said this new Publix will help change downtown’s status as a food desert. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, more than 23 million people live in food deserts — urban neighborhoods and rural towns without a large grocery store, and little access to healthy and affordable food.
This can contribute to poor diet, and can lead to higher levels of obesity and other diet-related illness, such as diabetes and heart disease. Areas of New York, Chicago, Detroit and other major urban cities, including downtown Birmingham, have been designated as food deserts, impacting as many as 88,000 Birmingham residents.
“Publix’s affordable prices coupled with their acceptance of resources for low-income needs assures access to everyone,” said Fleming. He’s also hopeful Publix can convince more individuals and families to make downtown Birmingham home.
Throughout the United States, recent urban revitalization efforts and public-private partnerships have successfully helped lure grocery chains to underserved areas. Wednesday’s permit approval brings Birmingham’s project one step closer to reality.
UConn takes 12th NCAA women’s basketball title with dominant win over South Carolina
UConn is back on top of women's basketball, winning its 12th NCAA national championship by routing defending champion South Carolina 82-59 on Sunday.
Alex Ovechkin scores goal #895 to break Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL scoring record
The Washington Capitals star made history with a power play goal from the left faceoff circle — as Gretzky, who last set the record more than 25 years ago, looked on.
Severe storms and floods batter South and Midwest, as death toll rises to at least 18
Severe storms continued to pound parts of the South and Midwest, as a punishing and slow-moving storm system unleashed life-threatening flash floods and powerful tornadoes from Mississippi to Kentucky.
Israeli strikes on Gaza kill at least 32, mostly women and children
Israeli strikes on Gaza killed at least 32 people, including over a dozen women and children, local health officials said Sunday, as Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu headed to meet President Trump.
Second child dies from measles-related causes in West Texas, where cases near 500
A second school-aged child in West Texas has died from a measles-related illness, a hospital spokesman confirmed Sunday, as the outbreak continues to swell.
Yemen Houthi rebels say latest US strikes killed 2, day after Trump posted bomb video
Suspected U.S. airstrikes killed at least two people in a stronghold of Yemen's Houthi rebels, the group said Sunday.