Representatives from the City of Birmingham and Main Street Birmingham were in Washington, DC earlier today to formally receive a Preserve America grant as part of ceremonies recognizing all first round recipients at a 9 a.m. ceremony in the Cannon House office building. This is the first Preserve America grant that has been awarded to The Magic City.

The $25,000 received will be used to assist in preparing a nomination for the Ensley commercial district to be designated as a National Landmark Historic District. It would be the city’s 36th such district.

It will also be used to list the Nixon Building (Tuxedo Junction) property located at Ensley/Five Points West Road and 20th Street, Ensley made famous in Erskine Hawkins’ song.

These designations will allow qualified buildings to apply for additional financial incentives that will allow their current owners to renovate them.

Approximately $2.6 million in grant monies were presented to 43 grantees.