Ken Owens , a co-founder of Birmingham’s first African-American owned architecture firm and an advocate for preservation in the city, died on Saturday. He was 69 years old.

According to the account published on The Birmingham News‘ blog, Owens had been battling cancer for the last two years. The former Blach’s building and the former Fire Station #4 (where his offices were located) were among the numerous projects that he and his business partner, Franklin Woods were responsible for throughout the city and Alabama.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 13, 2009, at Sixth Avenue Baptist Church.