Tag Archives: Five Points South

Street paving in Five Points South tomorrow

One of the things announced by Mayor Langford during yesterday’s City Council meeting was the repaving of the Five Points South area in advance of next month’s PapaJohns.com Bowl (12.29). We’ve received word from the Five Points South Merchants Group that weather permitting, paving will take place along 11th Avenue South between 18th and 20th Streets while the city’s Department of Public Works paints the light poles, so you might want to keep that in mind when navigating the area.

Word is that the work will not affect businesses and that the police will work to make sure that customers have access to area stores and restaurants. Other portions of 11th and Magnolia Avenues may be paved as well, with 20th Street also being milled at that time.

CVS plans approved in Five Points South

Residents and supporters of Five Points South put up a good fight, but ultimately the ZBA decided in a 4-2 vote Thursday to approve the variances for a CVS drug store to be built  at 1312-1324 & 1330 11th Ave South and 14th Street. This means three apartment buildings will have to be demolished. Neighborhood association president Gary Bostany says the association is now looking into their options to appeal the decision, but right now they just aren’t sure.

Business development threatens Five Points apartments

The Five Points South Neighborhood Association will voice their opposition Thursday at City Hall in a zoning dispute that could leave several Five Points residents displaced. According to the neighborhood association president, Gary Bostany, a developer requested two variances from the Zoning Board of Adjustments (ZBA) to build a CVS drug store located at 1312-1324 & 1330 11th Ave South and 14th Street (see the proposed site plan). The problem is this would involve demolishing three apartment buildings, one even considered to be historic. 

According to the new rules adopted by City Hall, the neighborhood associations are no longer obligated to advertise the variance requests in the monthly newsletter and vote on the them at the monthly neighborhood meeting. Bostany says the affected tenants weren’t even aware of the issue until he posted the information on the apartment buildings. “This is a tragedy for all the neighborhoods, remarks Bostany, because the neighborhood doesn’t have a lot of time to fully address the issue.” 

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Fire + Ice joins Birmingham’s restaurant scene

The scene inside Fire + Ice on March 22, 2008 during a special invitation only sneak peek.

Bob Farley/f8photo

Those that visit Five Points South may notice a new occupant in the space that formerly housed a Gap and Seaside, FL based-Quincy Art Shop.

Fire + Ice Improvisational Grill officially opened yesterday afternoon after inviting some folks to try out their newest location (and first in the Southeastern U.S.) on Saturday evening. Additional locations are planned for Dubai and Panama later this year.

Guests were treated to a sneak peek event of what the restaurant has to offer. We could write about the place, the lively atmosphere and the food, but we figured why not just share some images taken by Bob Farley at the event.

We also wouldn’t mind a comment or two from folks that have already tried it out to let us know what you think…