EnsleySaturday, November 7
Birmingham tells a judge it wants a library on the Ramsay-McCormack site in Ensley
The Daily Birmingham team
If you've watched Ensley wait on Ramsay-McCormack, there's a new plan. Mayor Randall Woodfin appeared in court Thursday and said the city wants to build a public library on the property instead of a redevelopment expected to bring nearly 190 jobs. Special Master Ken Simon told the court the remaining partners of Ensley District Developers would step away after developer Irvin Henderson died in August.
- Judge's deadline: 60 days to firm up the plan
- Next hearing: Feb. 3, 2027
- Designers: the architects behind Irondale's new library
- Original plan: a five-story, $20 million development
Ramsay-McCormack has waited years for a rebuild
- 2019The 10-story building begins to crumble
- 2021Ensley District Developers demolish the building
- April 2026Judge essentially gives developers until the end of August to start vertical construction
- Aug. 2026Developer Irvin Henderson dies in North Carolina
- Nov. 5Woodfin tells the court the city plans a library
- Feb. 2027Next court hearing is scheduled
- Q4 2027Woodfin expects vertical construction to begin
Attorney Antonio Spurling, who has sued the city on behalf of Ensley businesses, said the city is in "noncompliance to a court order." He acknowledges a library could benefit residents but questions whether the smaller project will deliver the same economic impact.
60 daysthe judge gave the city to firm up its library plans
The city must also regain control of the property from the previous developers and take its proposal to the Birmingham City Council.
Source: wvtm
“I will tell you, Ramsay-McCormack is an exception. That is taking way too long. That's unacceptable.”