With new housing, healthcare and transportation developments, Woodlawn residents and visitors have a lot to look forward to in 2019. 

Woodlawn has seen substantial growth over the past several years, from housing to restaurants to recording studios. A diverse neighborhood full of charm, Woodlawn has strived to preserve its authenticity throughout its growth.  

REV Birmingham and Woodlawn Foundation are excited to continue supporting development and events in the neighborhood. Here are some highlights compiled by the two nonprofits. 

Woodlawn Street Market 

Fresh produce, jewelry, clothing, art, children’s toys AND delicious food sound good to you? Woodlawn Street Market has it all, featuring local start-ups and makers. With up to 80 local vendors, each market has something new to discover. Starting in April, the market will be held on the block of 55th Place South in the heart of Woodlawn’s business district and held every other month until December. 

Market co-founder and organizer Bekah Fox has been with the market since its beginnings in 2014 but has not lost any excitement.  

“As we enter our sixth Woodlawn Street Market season, we continue to make Woodlawn a more vibrant community through this fun community event that also grows local businesses,” said market co-founder and organizer Rebekah Fox. “This market is successful because of the community that comes together to support it – from the dedicated vendors, to the shoppers who value spending their dollars locally, to our partner organizations and individuals who share a heart for this neighborhood. We want everyone to know that you are welcome in Woodlawn, and we hope you make plans to join us at the 2019 markets!” 

The market provides a platform for launching and testing start-up businesses for more than 350 local vendors per year and contributes to the renaissance in downtown Woodlawn.  

At least 10 spaces at each market are reserved for first-time vendors, so be sure to come look for some of your favorite vendors as you discover several new ones. There’s never a shortage of delicious local food vendors to satisfy any size cravings, from full meals to sweets and snacks.  

Finally, get ready for some creative entertainment as the Creative Mindz dance crew hosts a dance battle. As the music turns up, street market goers gather around the checkerboard mat and cheer on the talented local artists. 

Woodlawn Street Market community partners include Woodlawn Business Association, Woodlawn Foundation, Dream Center, Imperial Formal Wear and Woodlawn United Methodist Church. 

Interested in participating this year? Vendor applications are open now! 

Transportation 

People seeking transportation to and from Woodlawn will soon have a new, more streamlined option. 

A BJCTA Super Stop is coming to 1st Avenue North across from Woodlawn High School. Super Stops connect residents to other Birmingham business districts through a more direct line. BJCTA riders will be able to go to other Super Stops such as Palisades Shopping Center or the Galleria Mall. 

Another transportation project on the horizon is the second phase of Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality (CMAQ), which will provide additional streetscape and traffic calming improvements along 1st Avenue South and local neighborhood streets. 

Housing Development 

Good news for aspiring Woodlawn homeowners! Woodlawn Foundation is working with several partners to break ground on a total of 40 to 50 residential units in 2019, adding value and life to the community. 

Phase II of the Cottages at Wood Station will add additional homes of similar style to Phase I. The single-family homes will be available for purchase at a market rate value. These homes will be adjacent to Phase I off of Georgia Road. 

The Cottages on Georgia Road will be located on Georgia Road near 61st Street. These units will be low to moderate income apartments for lease and houses that will have the option for purchase. 

All units are planned to be completed by the end of 2020, depending on market rates. 

Healthcare 

The team at Christ Health is opening their new Behavioral Health Center on 1st Avenue South in April of this year.  

Practicing holistic medicine, they believe that being able to treat mental health will be crucial in their patient’s overall health. Alabama is one of the many states with limited access to mental health facilities causing Christ Health to make this project a priority. 

The 6,300-square-foot building will include 10 exam rooms and two lobbies that will separate children and adult patients. This is for the protection of the children to not be exposed unnecessarily to adult issues.  

Patients who have had accessibility issues getting to the pharmacy can look forward to easier access with this property being the location of Christ Health’s relocated and expanded pharmacy. 

From contributions by local artists to plenty of windows for natural light, no detail has been too small as they strive to build a facility that is functional and promotes mental wellness. 

“We spend our time here, we drive these streets, we eat at these restaurants. We didn’t want to put something up that was going to be an eyesore,” said Christ Health’s Shannon Massey. 

Birchfield Penuel & Associates helped create a design that will be economical while still making the space beautiful. The new building is projected to be completely self-sustaining and fully staffed in three years.