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In 2003, the
City of Tuscaloosa, in cooperation with the Federal
Highway Administration (FHWA), retained Almon
Associates, Inc. and Cooper Consulting Company,
Inc., to undertake a Downtown Tuscaloosa Urban
Renewal/Redevelopment Study. The study examines
existing conditions within a sixteen-block area of
Downtown Tuscaloosa referred to as the Urban
Renewal/Redevelopment Study Area (Study Area). The
Study Area is generally described as being south of
University Boulevard, east of Greensboro Avenue,
west of 20th Avenue, and north of Bryant Drive.
The Downtown
Tuscaloosa Urban Renewal/Redevelopment Study
examines the blighting conditions in the above
delineated portion of Downtown. Information
presented in the Study demonstrates that this area
possesses significant development potential but has
experienced decline that has created overall
deteriorating and deteriorated conditions. These
conditions need to be addressed for the overall
viability of Downtown Tuscaloosa.
Part I of
the Downtown Tuscaloosa Urban Renewal/Redevelopment
Study summarizes the
Inventory and
Analysis of Blighting Conditions
(Blight Report)
adopted by the Tuscaloosa City Council on September
9, 2004. Information contained herein is merely a
summary and not intended to supersede or alter in
any manner the actual findings, conclusions or
recommendations in the Blight Report. In the event
of a conflict between the two, the facts, findings
and conclusions of the Blight Report adopted by the
City Council shall prevail.
Part II is
the Urban Renewal/Redevelopment Plan (the Plan). The
Plan addresses recommendations regarding
redevelopment, rehabilitation and conservation of
the Study Area. As a part of the Plan’s adoption
process, public hearings are scheduled by the City
of Tuscaloosa’s Planning Commission and City Council
to consider the Plan’s recommendations.
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PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT AREAS
The Study Area is divided into
two major development areas: 1) Inside the
Proposed Federally-Funded Project Area; and 2)
Outside the Proposed Federally-Funded Project
Area. The primary focus for improvements will take
place inside the Proposed Federally-Funded Project
Area because of the availability of federal dollars
for acquisition and improvements. Implementation
outside the Proposed Federally-Funded Project Area
is primarily dependent upon funding from the private
sector or future public funding possibilities. The
Plan narrative, however, discusses key plan
components, streetscape and pedestrian circulation
and aesthetic enhancements for both development
areas.
Inside the Proposed
Federally-Funded Project Area
The area inside
the Proposed Federally-Funded Project Area is a
6-block area that includes primarily properties
proposed to be acquired with federal funds and
redeveloped over a number of years. Map 4 – Inside
Proposed Federally-Funded Project Area delineates
this irregularly shaped area bounded by sections of
University Boulevard and 6th Street on the north; by
20th Avenue on the east; by parts of 7th and 8th
Streets on the south; and by 23rd Avenue on the
west. It includes the Federal Building site, the
Urban Park/Plaza, the town home site, and mixed use
development sites for new commercial, office and
residential uses.
Outside the Proposed Federally-Funded Project
Area The
area outside the Proposed Federally-Funded
Project Area is the remaining 10-blocks delineated
on Map 5 – Outside Proposed Federally-Funded Project
Area. Within this area there are no current plans
for property acquisition. Redevelopment will take
place primarily through private sector initiatives
or yet-identified public funding sources. Key plan
components in this area include institutional uses
and mixed use development to provide sites for new
commercial, office and residential uses.
Potential redevelopment is shown on
some blocks to reflect how redevelopment might take
place. This includes a major parking deck with
ground-level retail on Block 4, church expansion on
Block 8, and mixed use development on Blocks 12 and
14. Other potential improvements include enhanced
streetscape, improved pedestrian circulation,
parking facilities, aesthetic enhancements and
infrastructure improvements, some of which may occur
with improvements planned for the Proposed Federally
Funded Project Area.
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