Metropolitan Gardens: Difference between revisions
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'''Metropolitan Gardens''' (originally '''Central City Housing Project''') was a 910-unit housing project in the [[Central City]] | '''Metropolitan Gardens''' (originally '''Central City Housing Project''') was a 910-unit housing project in the [[Central City neighborhood]] in downtown [[Birmingham]]. The project was built in [[1940]] and razed in [[2002]]. | ||
[[Miller, Martin & Lewis Architects|Miller, Martin & Lewis]] were the architects for the $7.6 million project, ninety percent of which was funded by a 3% loan from the United States Housing Authority. | [[Miller, Martin & Lewis Architects|Miller, Martin & Lewis]] were the architects for the $7.6 million project, ninety percent of which was funded by a 3% loan from the United States Housing Authority. When it first opened, a rental office was established at 2210 [[6th Avenue North]]. A central coal-powered plant provided steam heat for the apartments. | ||
The project, which was soon perceived as a "slum", was completely renovated in [[1974]], the first major commission for the [[Owens | The project, which was soon perceived as a "slum", was completely renovated in [[1974]], the first major commission for the [[Owens & Woods Partnership]]. In the mid-1990s, the ZIP code [[35203]] was one of the poorest zip codes in the nation, partly because Metropolitan Gardens was the only residential district included in the area. | ||
"Metro Gardens" was owned and operated by the [[Housing Authority of the Birmingham District]] (HABD). The project was demolished to make way for the privately owned, mixed-income housing [[Park Place Hope VI project | "Metro Gardens" was owned and operated by the [[Housing Authority of the Birmingham District]] (HABD). The project was demolished to make way for the privately owned, mixed-income housing [[Park Place Apartments]] mixed-income Hope VI project. | ||
University of Missouri-St Louis urban education professor [[Jerome Morris]] published a book describing the community and his experiences growing up there in the 1970s and 1980s. | |||
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* ''Housing Yearbook 1940''. Chicago, Illinois: National Association of Housing Officials | * ''Housing Yearbook 1940''. Chicago, Illinois: National Association of Housing Officials | ||
* Sherman, Amy L. (December 6, 1995) "Against walls: racial reconciliation in Birmingham - Birmingham, Alabama." ''Christian Century'' | * Sherman, Amy L. (December 6, 1995) "Against walls: racial reconciliation in Birmingham - Birmingham, Alabama." ''Christian Century'' | ||
* Coman, Victoria L. and Vickii Howell (April 2, 2000) "Metropolitan Gardens residents wary of Hope VI dream housing." | * Coman, Victoria L. and Vickii Howell (April 2, 2000) "Metropolitan Gardens residents wary of Hope VI dream housing." {{BN}} | ||
* "Wrecking ball swings Tuesday at Metropolitan Gardens, HOPE to rise from project." (March 3, 2002) | * "Wrecking ball swings Tuesday at Metropolitan Gardens, HOPE to rise from project." (March 3, 2002) {{BN}} | ||
* Tomberlin, Michael (June 16, 2003) "Hope VI project site work launched." | * Tomberlin, Michael (June 16, 2003) "Hope VI project site work launched." {{BN}} | ||
* Morris, Jerome E. (2024) ''[[Central City's Joy and Pain|Central City's Joy and Pain: Solidarity, Survival, and Soul in a Birmingham Housing Project]]''. University of Georgia Press | |||
[[Category:HABD communities]] | [[Category: HABD communities]] | ||
[[Category:Central City neighborhood]] | [[Category: Central City neighborhood]] | ||
[[Category:1940 buildings]] | [[Category: 1940 buildings]] | ||
[[Category:Miller, Martin & Lewis buildings]] | [[Category: Miller, Martin & Lewis buildings]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category: 2002 demolitions]] | ||
Latest revision as of 12:04, 8 March 2024
Metropolitan Gardens (originally Central City Housing Project) was a 910-unit housing project in the Central City neighborhood in downtown Birmingham. The project was built in 1940 and razed in 2002.
Miller, Martin & Lewis were the architects for the $7.6 million project, ninety percent of which was funded by a 3% loan from the United States Housing Authority. When it first opened, a rental office was established at 2210 6th Avenue North. A central coal-powered plant provided steam heat for the apartments.
The project, which was soon perceived as a "slum", was completely renovated in 1974, the first major commission for the Owens & Woods Partnership. In the mid-1990s, the ZIP code 35203 was one of the poorest zip codes in the nation, partly because Metropolitan Gardens was the only residential district included in the area.
"Metro Gardens" was owned and operated by the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District (HABD). The project was demolished to make way for the privately owned, mixed-income housing Park Place Apartments mixed-income Hope VI project.
University of Missouri-St Louis urban education professor Jerome Morris published a book describing the community and his experiences growing up there in the 1970s and 1980s.
References
- Housing Yearbook 1940. Chicago, Illinois: National Association of Housing Officials
- Sherman, Amy L. (December 6, 1995) "Against walls: racial reconciliation in Birmingham - Birmingham, Alabama." Christian Century
- Coman, Victoria L. and Vickii Howell (April 2, 2000) "Metropolitan Gardens residents wary of Hope VI dream housing." The Birmingham News
- "Wrecking ball swings Tuesday at Metropolitan Gardens, HOPE to rise from project." (March 3, 2002) The Birmingham News
- Tomberlin, Michael (June 16, 2003) "Hope VI project site work launched." The Birmingham News
- Morris, Jerome E. (2024) Central City's Joy and Pain: Solidarity, Survival, and Soul in a Birmingham Housing Project. University of Georgia Press