3rd Avenue South

3rd Avenue South (originally Avenue C) is an east-west avenue in Birmingham. It continues U. S. Highway 78 westbound from Crestwood Boulevard (via an angled section of 5th Avenue South) through Avondale and into the City Center. Beginning at 36th Street the avenue is one-way westbound with three lanes of traffic.

US 78 turns north off of 3rd Avenue at 24th Street, continuing west along 8th Avenue North toward Arkadelphia Road. 3rd Avenue South proceeds through Midtown Birmingham, becoming an onramp to I-65 North after it crosses 12th Street South.

The avenue picks up again in Titusville as 3rd Avenue Southwest, a two-lane residential street running between Omega Street and Martin Luther King, Jr Drive at Elmwood Cemetery.

In Woodlawn and East Lake additional sections of 3rd Avenue South can be found. One runs for less than a block off of 59th Street South south of Georgia Road. Another picks up at 61st Street South and runs into the I-20 right of way just past 64th Street South. It picks up at 64th Place South on the other side of the interstate and continues to 67th Street South, where it ends in the turn a block shy of the Cascade Plunge. On the other side of the proposed Druid Hollow Park 3rd Avenue continues as a residential street between 70th Street South and 86th Street South. The alley between 2nd and 3rd Avenue in this area is promoted as a Musician's Hollow by the East Lake Arts District.

MAX Transit Route 17 runs along parts of 3rd Avenue South in Avondale.

History

3rd Avenue South was converted from two-way to one-way (westbound) traffic from 32nd Street to 14th Street in August 1955. The west-only traffic pattern was extended to I-65 in 1973 by the Alabama Department of Transportation's TOPICS (Traffic Operations Program to Increase Capacity and Safety) program.

Notable locations

For an alphabetical list of locations, see the 3rd Avenue South category.

South Titusville

• 324: former location of Scott's Coal Co. (1953)

Five Points South neighborhood

• 10th Street South formerly intersected
  • north side (Block 280)
    • former location of "scattered lumber piles" (1911)
  • south side (Block 279)
    • former location of 2nd Presbyterian Church (1896)
    • 1001: former location of duplex residence (1911)
    • 1003: former location of duplex residence (1911)
    • 1005: former location of duplex residence (1911)
    • 1007: former location of duplex residence (1911)
    • 1009: former location of duplex residence (1911)
    • 1011–1013: former location of duplex residence (1911)
      • 1013: former location of A. G. Donahoo Contracting Co. (1953)
    • 1017: former location of residence (1911)
    • 1019: former location of residence (1911)
    • 1023: former location of residence (1911)
    • 1025: former location of residence (1911)
    • 1029–1031: former location of duplex residence (1911)

• 11th Street South intersects (north only)
  • north side (Block 269)
  • south side (Block 270)
    • former location of 11th Street Baptist Church (1900)
    • 1101–1103: former location of duplex residence (1911)
    • 1105: former location of duplex residence (1911)
    • 1107: former location of duplex residence (1911)
    • 1109: former location of "Methodist Episcopal Church (Negro)" (1911), apartment building
    • 1111: former location of apartment building
• I-65 (access to northbound lanes)
  • • parking lot for Ted's Restaurant

• 12th Street South intersects
  • north side (Block 246):
    • 1200–1230: University Park Business Center
      • 1200: former location of store (1911)
      • 1202: former location of residence (1911)
      • 1204–1206: former location of duplex residence (1911)
      • 1208–1210: former location of duplex residence (1911)
        • 1208: former location of Steve Cross ice dealer (1953)
      • 1218: former location of residence (1911), Avenue C Garage auto repairs (1953)
      • 1226: former location of duplex residence (1911)
      • 1228: former location of Bridget O'Neill boarding house (1900), duplex residence (1911)
      • 1230: former location of store (1911)
  • south side (Block 245):
    • 1201–1229: proposed site for The Marshall student apartments (2022)
      • 1201–1203: former location of duplex residence (1911)
        • 1201: former location of Alabama Auto Top Specialists
      • 1205–1207: former location of duplex residence (1911)
      • 1209–1211: former location of duplex residence (1911)
    • 1217½: former location of George Cross ice dealer (1953)
    • 1219–1231: former location of parking lot, proposed location for University House
      • 1227: former location of duplex residence (1911)
      • 1229: former location of duplex residence (1911)
      • 1231: former location of duplex residence (1911)

• 13th Street South intersects
  • north side (Block 129):
  • south side (Block 154):
    • 1301: former location of Cain Awning (–2020)
    • 1325: J. J. Morley Enterprises

• 14th Street South intersects
  • north side (Block 130):
    • Regions Field (built 2013), former location of UAB University Stores Warehouse
  • south side (Block 153):
    • 1401-1433: unnamed 228-unit apartment building (built 2020)
      • 1411-1415: former location of double Quonset hut
      • 1421: former location of Moore-Handley Hardware Co. storage (1953)
      • 1425: former location of Garfield Hill restaurant (1953)

• 15th Street South intersects
  • north side (Block 131):
    • 1500-1530: former location of UAB Print Plant / UAB Central Support Building
      • 1500-1516: Regions Field (built 2013)
      • 1518-1530: Venue at the Ballpark (built 2016)
  • south side (Block 152):
    • 1501: Sherwin-Williams Paint Company
    • 1521-1529: Watts Realty Building
      • Suite 101: Self Storage
      • Suite 102: Watts Realty
      • 1527: former location of Hill Grocery Co. (1953)
      • 1529: former location of Peanut Depot (2016-2017), Pro-Fit Inc. / American Diabetic Supply (2008-2015)

• 16th Street South intersects
  • north side (Block 132):
  • 1600: Red Mountain Theatre Co. arts campus, former location of Wittichen Chemical Co. warehouse (1953), Wittichen Supply Company
  • south side (Block 151):
  • 1601-1631: James C. Lee Building (built 2019)
    • 1601: former location of Children's Hospital physical plant
    • 1617: former location of Mid-South Design Inc. (building demolished in October 2017)

• 17th Street South intersects
  • north side (Block 133):
    • 1700: former location of Ingersoll-Rand Co. machinery (1953)
    • 1704: former location of Rudolph Brinskelle plumbing (1953)
    • 1726: Former site of Rye-Ola bottling plant, Wimberly & Thomas Hardware Co. garage (1953)
  • south side (Block 150):
    • 1701: former location of White Motor Co. trucks (1953)
    • 1711: former location of Jefferson Body Co. auto bodies (1953)

• 18th Street South intersects
  • north side (Block 134):
    • former location of St Mark's School (1892-1940)
    • 1814: former location of Ath. Candylas (1907)
    • 1820-1826: HABD Building, Housing Authority of the Birmingham District offices, former location of Wood Chevrolet (1953-1976)
  • south side (Block 149):
    • 1801-1805: Taziki's Mediterranean Café (2008-)
      • 1805: former location of J. G. Lowery contractor (1887), E. P. Hogan residence (1910)
    • 1807: retail building (built 2018), Vapors Smoke Shop (2019-)
    • 1809-1811: former location of Nick Graffeo Motors used cars / Sam's Auto Trim Shop (1953), Hoover Sports & Imports
    • 1813-1815: former location of Vol T. Blacknall Co. wholesale flooring (1953)
    • 1817: Import Maintenance Service
    • 1825: former location of Wood Chevrolet body and fender department (1953)

• 19th Street South intersects
  • north side (Block 135):
    • 1900-1930: 20 Midtown (built 2016), Publix supermarket (2017-)
      • 1900: proposed Hilton Garden Inn Birmingham
      • 1912: Carlstedt Company, former location of Mrs P. E. Porter boarding house (1899), Smith & Young Co. wholesale florist (1953)
      • 1916: former location of Brunson Motor Co. used cars (1953)
      • 1920-1930: former location of Firestone Building (1943-1970, demolished 2015)
        • 1928: former location of Joseph Morrison shoemaker (1900)
  • south side (Block 148):
    • 1901-1909: Holy Trinity Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral (built 1949), former location of Simpson Methodist Episcopal Church (1899)
    • 1911-1931: 20 Midtown (built 2015)
      • 1913: former location of Barnett Car Co. used cars (1953)
      • 1915: former location of S. A. Weaver Motor Co. used cars (1953)

• 20th Street South intersects
  • north side (Block 136):
    • 2000-2030: 20 Midtown (built 2020)
      • 2000: former location of Drennen Motor Company (–1972)
      • 2008: former location of Service Insurance Co. (1953), Baxley Dillard Dauphin
      • 2010: former location of Sherrill & Amos auto paint & body (1953)
      • 2018: former location of McElroy Motors, J. Truitt Payne Co. used cars (1953), Out of Town Parts
      • 2026: former location of Webco Electric Battery Co. (1923)
  • south side (Block 147):
    • 2001-2009: Liberty Towers at Midtown
      • 2001-2003: Liberty National Building (built 1925 as the Pioneer Building)
      • 2005-2009: Liberty National Life Building (built 1971)
    • 2011: former location of Noah's Ark Baptist Church (1899–1900), National Welding Company (1923), David's Restaurant (1953)
    • 2013-2031: Birmingham Parking Authority Deck 8 / Scott's Koneys
      • 2019: former location of Scott Sheet Metal Works auto body repairs (1923), Hugh E. Riddle auto repairs (1953)
      • 2021-2023: former location of Birmingham Steam Laundry (1887), Finch Motor Co. auto repairs (1923), Sherrill & Amos shop (1953)

• 21st Street South (Richard Arrington Jr Boulevard South) intersects
  • north side (Block 137):
    • 2100: former location of grocery (1891)
    • 2102-2114: former location of "negro dwellings" (1891)
      • 2102: former location of L. A. Brake Auto Parts (1953)
      • 2106: former location of Vulcan Refrigerator Service repairs (1953)
      • 2110: former location of Auto Paint Supply Co. wholesale (1953)
      • 2112: former location of General Welding Co. (1953)
      • 2114: former location of Carburetor & Ignition Co. auto repairs (1953)
    • 2116-2118: former location of Refrigeratory Supplies Distribution wholesale (1953)
    • 2120-2126: former location of Edmunds Motor Co. body shop (1953)
      • 2124-2126: former location of blacksmith shop (1891)
    • 2128-2130: former location of Hollingshead's Body Shop auto repairs (1953)
  • south side (Block 146):
    • 2101-2107: former location of Edmunds Motor Co. (1953)
      • 2101: Plasma Care Inc.
    • 2119-2123: former location of Elyton Land Co. stables (1891)
    • 2125: former location of Nalls & Son planing mill (1900)
    • 2127-2131: Southern Armature Works, former location of Alabama Coal Co. (1900), Bill Bailey Motors service entrance (1953), Hanna Motor Co.

Southside neighborhood

• 22nd Street South intersects
  • north side (Block 138):
    • 2200-2206: J. F. Oates Building (Birmingham School of Law), former location of Jim Burke Nash (1948), LaSuer Motors Inc. (1953), Tom Williams Porsche/BMW
    • 2212: Bennette's BMW Service
    • 2216: former location of Antioch Baptist Church (1899–1900)
    • 2220: Bennette's Motor World
    • 2222-2226: former location of "ruins of fire" (1891)
      • 2224: former location of LaSuer Motors Inc. used cars (1953)
    • 2230: former location of McElroy Motors used cars (1953)
  • south side (Block 145):
    • 2201-2205: Sweet Tea Restaurant
      • 2201-2203: former location of Birmingham Steam Bottling Works (1891), Houppert & Worcester bottling works (1904)
      • 2205-2207: former location of Zinsheimer's Bottling Works (1891)
        • 2205: former location of Birmingham Steam Bottling Works storeroom (1899), Birmingham Bottling Works (1900)
    • 2217: former location of "negro tenements" (1891), Mrs M. McColgan boarding house (1899–1900)
    • 2219: former location of grocery (1891)
    • 2221: Sherrill Auto Paint & Body
    • 2223: former location of "negro dwellings" (1891)
    • 2225: former location of Samuel Watley shoe repair (1953)

• 23rd Street South intersects
  • north side (Block 139):
    • 2300-2330: WorkTrux truck sales
      • 2300: former location of P. Lombard grocer (1899–1900), W. M. Brown saloon (1904)
      • 2302: former location of P. Lombard residence (1900)
      • 2310: former location of Red Bryant Motors used cars (1953)
  • south side (Block 144):
    • 2301: Budget Car & Truck Rental, former location of T. H. Bower saloon (1899-1904)
    • 2303: former location of Love Shields restaurant (1899-1904)
    • 2305: former location of Tissler Auto Body Co. repairs (1953)
    • 2315: former location of Thompson-Dominick Motors (1953)
    • 2319: former location of Haynes Auto Parts (1953)
    • 2325-2331: Luxe Ultra Lounge, former location of The Downtown Church

• 24th Street South intersects
  • north side (Block 140):
    • 2400: All About Trucks
    • 2412: Elite Tire & Service, former location of Henry Melton boarding house (1900), Omega Tires
    • 2424: Ultra Motorcars of Birmingham
  • south side (Block 143):
    • 2401–2411: Cook Out (January 2021-), former location of Highline Imports (demolished 2020)
    • 2417: Pro-Fit orthotics & prosthetics (2015–), former location of Grump's Great Grill (1990s–2011)
    • 2431: former location of Gilbert Machine & Welding Co. (1953)

• 25th Street South intersects (access to Elton B. Stephens Expressway south)
  • north side (Block 141):
    • 2500: Specialized Medical Devices, former location of Mrs J. F. Chitwood boarding house (1899), Twenty-Fifth Street Sundry confectionary (1953)
    • 2502: former location of Charles Cataldo grocery (1953)
    • 2514: MG Electronics & Equipment
    • 2516: Auto Glass Now, former location of Glass Masters
  • south side (Block 142):
    • 2501: PeopleReady, former location of Southern Wholesale Automobiles
    • 2515: Max Communications
    • 2517-2519: The Watch Shop/Daniel Bailey residence (2005-), former location of Daniel's Classic Car Care (1987-2005)
      • 2517: former location of P P Ice & Fuel Co. (1953)

• Elton B. Stephens Expressway passes above
  • north side (Block 198):
    • 2610: Remedy Center, former location of Forbes Distributing Company (1953-1965), Nations Rent
    • 2616: Ghost Train Brewing Co. (2016-), former location of Cahaba Brewing Company (2012-2016), Silk in Design LLC
    • 2628: Jeffcoat Mechanical Services, former location of Brooks Distributing Inc. (1990)
  • south side (Block 197):
    • 2601: former location of Thomasino Grocery (Leon Thomasino 1953-1962)
    • 2631: Iron Tribe Fitness

• 27th Street South intersects (access to Elton B. Stephens Expressway north)
  • north side (Block 221):
    • 2700: former location of Albert Schilleci Grocery (1925), Washee Quickee Car Wash (1953-2020)
    • 2734: former location of Harry F. Rees junk dealer (1953)
  • north side (Block 222):
    • 2717: Infomedia / Uptick Marketing (2019-), former location of Odeon
    • 2729: Champion Performance Auto Detailing, former location of Medplex MD

• 28th Street South intersects
  • north side (Block 416):
    • 2800: Evans Meats retail store (2021–)
    • 2810: OvenBird, former location of Brown Plumbing & Heating (1948-1978), Brown Engineering (1978-), Jeffco Motor Company
    • 2812: former location of Jefferson Paper Co. wholesale (1953)
    • 2814: former location of Dixie Asbestos Company (1929-)
    • 2830: Aqua nightclub (formerly Elevation)
  • south side (Block 415):
    • 2805: PPG Paints
    • 2825: Sherwin-Williams floor coverings

• 29th Street South intersects
  • north side (Block 437):
    • 2900: Martin Biscuit Building (built 1928), Martin Biscuit Company (1928-1948), Luther Coggin Motors (1953)
    • 2912: former location of Hardy Services Division
    • 2924-2930: Hop City, former location of Alabama Glass Company (1950-1953)
  • south side (Block 438):
    • 2901: Gallery Services, former location of Royal Motor Co. used cars (1953)
    • 2917: Transtar Industries
    • 2929: Birmingham Benz

• 30th Street South intersects
  • north side (Block 447):
    • 3000: Blueprint on 3rd / Imaging Technologies, former location of Electric Constructors distributors (1948-1953), Knight Electric Co. contractor (1953)
    • 3022: Frontera, former warehouse (built 1947)
    • 3024: Mason & Dulion Building (built 1927, altered 1947), Cayenne Creative / Retriever Antiques, former location of Mason & Dulion Co. plumbers (1953), Alternative Garage
    • 3030: former location of Russell's Speed Shop
  • south side (Block 446):
    • 3001-3005: MetDesignCenter
    • 3009: Magic Stitches Embroidery, former location of NorDys Gallery
    • 3017: House of Grace Church, former location of Terry's Uniform & Screen Printing

• 31st Street South intersects
  • north side (Block 477):
    • 3100: Arnold-Brown Metals & Supply Co. (1946-)
    • 3116-3118: former location of Holland Furnace Company (1927-), Birmingham Brewing Company, Vulcan Breweries and Little Star Brewing Company
      • 3118: former location of Ken Rich Co. (1953)
    • 3120: Lee Brothers building, former location of Lee Brothers wholesale grocers (1931-), John R. White Co. wholesale dairy products (1953), Strong Auto Painting
    • 3126-3130: Magic City Acceptance Center (2020-), former location of Howard Hall Freight (1944-), Mill & Textile Supply (1953), Jefferson Tire, Precision Electric High Voltage Systems (2014-)
  • south side (Block 471):
    • 3101: Lolo French Antiques
    • 3109-3115: former location of Bagby Elevator & Electric Co. electrical contractors (1953)
      • 3115: Birmingham Auto Painting
    • 3121: Regions Bank 32nd Street branch (2006–), formerly Exchange-Security Bank (–1975), First Alabama Bank (1975–1983), AmSouth Bank (1983–2006)

• 32nd Street South intersects
  • north side:
    • 3200: Mayer Electric lighting showroom (1953-), former location of Birmingham Surgical Supply
  • south side:
    • 3201: U.S. Renal Care, former location of S. A. Weaver Motor Co. used cars (1953), Ed Salem's Drive-In #2 (1958-1972), The Forty Thieves (1972-), Fantasies, Eunice Crabtree's Cut Rate Delicatessen & Bait Shop (1989-1992), DSI South Dialysis
    • 3207: former location of Mabel's Beauty Shop & Chainsaw Repair (1992)
    • 3217–3221: Birmingham Career Center, former location of Bowl Lo-Mac bowling center (1960–1962), LabCorp

• 33rd Street South intersects
  • north side:
    • 3300-3308: Dorothy McDaniel's Flower Market, former location of Putt-Putt Golf Course
    • 3310-3330: Birmingham Regional Center of the Alabama Institute for Dead & Blind
  • south side:
  • 3301-3331: former location of Westinghouse Electric Co. (demolished 2016)

• 34th Street South intersects
  • north side:
    • 3420: Workforce Investment Services
    • 3440: former location of Birmingham Career Center
  • south side:
    • 3401-3431: parking lot, former location of Birmingham Railway Supply Co. rolling mill
      • 3401: former location of Westinghouse Electric Co. repair department (1953)
      • 3415: former location of Consolidated Dairies (1953)

• 35th Street South intersects
  • north side:
    • 3500: Lee-Rodgers Tire Company, former location of Harvey Ragland Co. wholesale grocers (1953)
  • south side:
    • 3521: FinishMaster
    • 3529: Burnham's Fine Cabinetry

• 36th Street South intersects
  • 3600: Christian Service Mission
  • 3621: Southeast Clinical Laboratories

Forest Park-South Avondale

• 37th Street South intersects
  • north side:
    • 3716: former location of Jett Plumbing Co. (Arthur Jett 1953)
  • south side:
    • 3709: Bryant & Company contractors, former location of B & B Construction Co. (1953)
    • 3711: former location of Archie Sullivan building contractor (1953)
    • 3715: former location of A. F. Speed Co. painters & decorators (1953)
    • 3719: Rodney Scott's BBQ, former location of Acme Flooring Co. (1953), Mikatam, New Gizmo, Misconceptions, Za Za Zann, and Bottletree (2006-2015), Saigon Noodle House (June 2016-August 2018)
    • 3621: Dale Inc. showroom & warehouse, former location of Alabama Mill Store, Hancock Fabrics

• 38th Street South intersects
  • 3800: Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (October 2020–), former location of Avondale Pilgrim Church (1953–1968), Avondale Wesleyan Church (1968–), St Symeon Orthodox Church (1980s), Temple of Hope Baptist Church (closed 2017)
  • 3804: Saw's BBQ Franchising offices (2019-)
  • 3820: Amalgamated Transit Union

• 39th Street South intersects
  • north side:
    • 3900–3908: K-Chem
    • 3912: Rookis Agency
    • 4000: MAKEbhm (2016-), former location of Ram Tool
      • Bici Coop
      • Big Spoon Creamery (April 2017-)
      • Newly Scripted
      • Weld for Birmingham
      • Winslet & Rhys
  • south side:
    • 3919: residence
    • 3923: vacant lot
    • 4001: residence
    • 4003: Head to Tail Animal Care
    • 4009: former location of Avondale Presbyterian Church (1953)
    • 4017: former location of The Avon apartments (1953)
    • 4030: Hi-Tec Auto Service, former location of Avondale Service Station (1953), Soi Pham

• 41st Street South intersects
  • north side:
    • 4100: Avondale Common House, former location of Prestige Imports, The Wooden Goat (2016-)
    • 4120: Avondale Business Center
    • 4130: Acme Flooring
  • south side:
    • 4101: Chevron Station (former location of Becky's Deli)
    • 4107: former location of Duplicate Receipt Book Co. (1953)
    • 4121: former location of Roebuck Motel No. 3 (1953), Anchor Motel, Star Motel

Forest Park/East Avondale

• 42nd Street South intersects
  • former site of Avondale School
  • north side:
    • 4232: former location of Birmingham Association for the Blind
    • 4244: Workshops Empowerment Inc. (1916–)
  • south side:
    • 4201: former location of residence (burned 2020)
    • 4203: former location of residence (burned 2020)
    • 4205: vacant lot (2008–), former location of residence
    • 4207: vacant residence
    • 4211–4231: proposed 48-unit apartment building
      • 4231: former location of Estetica Unisex Lolis salon
    • 4233–4239: Avondale III Apartments, formerly Havenwood Apartments
    • 4241–4261: proposed 48-unit apartment building
      • 4261: former location of Genry's Barber Shop (2010s)
    • 4269-4277: Avondale I Apartments, former location of Avolyn Court Apartments (1953)
    • 4285: Industrial Diesel Hydraulics (2015-), former location of Birmingham Plastic Pipe & Supply

East Avondale

• 3rd Court South/4th Avenue South diverges
  • 4322: Martin Building Maintenance
  • 4631: New Bethel Baptist Church
  • 4725: Holy Cathedral Church of God in Christ
  • 4700–4730: former site of Avondale Colored School, Butler Elementary School (later site of the 2008 Home Builders Blitz)
  • 4809: East Avondale Apartments (built 1958)
  • 4825: Birmingham Plastic Pipe & Supply
• 50th Street South intersects
• 3rd Avenue dies into 5th Avenue South

South Woodlawn

• 3rd Avenue resumes at 59th Street South
• 3rd Avenue ends at 59th Place South
• 3rd Avenue resumes at 61st Street South
• 3rd Avenue ends at I-20

South East Lake

• 3rd Avenue resumes at 64th Place South
• 3rd Avenue turns into 67th Street South
• 3rd Avenue resumes at Higdon Road
• 3rd Avenue ends at 68th Street South (Cascade Plunge)
• 3rd Avenue resumes at 70th Street South
• 3rd Avenue ends at 86th Street South

Locations on 3rd Avenue Southwest

• Omega Street intersection
• 3rd Street South intersection
• 2nd Street South intersection
• 1st Street South intersection
• Center Place South intersection
• Center Street South intersection
• 1st Street Southwest intersection
• Goldwire Street Southwest intersection
  • Montevallo Gardens Apartments
  • 254: Zion Star Missionary Baptist Church
• Martin Luther King, Jr Drive (Montevallo Road Southwest) intersection