Birmingham City Council Approves Carraway Hospital Rezoning
The Birmingham City Council approved the rezoning of Carraway Hospital and several adjacent properties Tuesday, clearing the way for Corporate Realty’s long-planned mixed-use redevelopment of the abandoned campus.
The hospital, at 1600 Carraway Boulevard, has been closed since 2008 and has fallen into disrepair. District 3 Councilor Valerie Abbott likened the building to one in “a third world country that’s having a civil war,” adding that “the only thing that could be worse is if there were bodies hanging out the windows.”
Corporate Realty announced plans to redevelop the property last year. The development will include retail, dining, residential, office and entertainment spaces. The project had received unanimous approval from the Druid Hills and Norwood neighborhood associations last year, but progress on the project was paused earlier this year due to COVID-19.
Several residents of surrounding Druid Hills and Norwood neighborhood spoke in favor of the rezoning at Tuesday’s meeting. Barbara Gowdy Thomas, a longtime Norwood resident, said the neighborhood had “been waiting a long time to see something positive return to the Carraway site.”
James Clark, the Norwood neighborhood association’s president, said the new development would improve property values for residents. “The people making the money will be the longtime homeowners,” he said, adding that the development would give him the opportunity “to walk to a restaurant, or to pick up my groceries closer to home.”
District 5 Councilor Darrell O’Quinn called the project “a major step forward for the city” and part of an overall trend of development that “all adds up to a tremendous transformative change in the city of Birmingham.”
The Birmingham Business Journal reported last week that the development could receive up to $17 million in city incentives, likely in the form of tax abatements.
Here are the 2026 Golden Globe nominations
Marlon Wayans and Skye P. Marshall presented the nominees for the 83rd Golden Globes this morning. The awards ceremony will be held on Jan. 11, hosted by Nikki Glaser.
After Texas ruling, Trump and Republicans head to 2026 with a redistricting edge
Trump has prompted a redistricting race as he tries to maintain Republican control of the House in the 2026 elections. Democrats have fewer options to counter, as the battle heads into next year.
How China, not the U.S., became the main climate solution story in 2025
The U.S. has become a "side character" in the global story of renewable energy, experts say. China dominates the sector, with positive implications for the climate and their economy.
Supreme Court to hear case that could vastly expand presidential powers
The Supreme Court hears arguments in a case about President Trump's firing of a Federal Trade Commissioner. At stake is a 90-year precedent limiting the president's power over independent agencies.
Republicans push high deductible plans and health savings accounts
A Republican call to give Americans cash instead of health insurance subsidies revives an old idea that has left millions with medical debt.
Zelenskyy heads to London for more Ukraine peace talks. Here’s what to know
The talks signal fresh support from European allies. But they follow stalled U.S. negotiations in Miami and comments from President Trump's son suggesting Washington is ready to pull back.
