By Emily Williams
Liberty Park officials and business owners dipped their golden shovels into the dirt Oct. 12 to kick off the first phase of construction on the neighborhood’s last parcel of undeveloped land.
Development is beginning on the first 6.5 acres of a 700-acre plot that will be transformed into Town Village.
“This is really indicative of what we are calling the future vision for Liberty Park and is our final endeavor,” said Liberty Park Vice President of Development Shawn Arterburn.
He said the launch of the project has been three years in the making, and it marks the beginning of the end as far as large-scale community development is concerned.
Liberty Park Joint Venture officials plan to use the space to introduce more businesses into the community, planning under the theme “live, work and play.”
The Town Village neighborhood will showcase 1,100 homes priced in the $300,000 to $600,000 range, a grocery store and retail and office space.
Included in the first phase of development will be a new location of On Tap Sports Café and a “community fuel” gas station and convenience center, in partnership with Moore Oil Company.
The project is in keeping with the vision for the future of Vestavia Hills, according to Mayor Ashley Curry.
“This is just the start of what we hope to see, which is more room for businesses,” Curry said.
The first phase is estimated to be finished by January or February, with businesses opening by next summer.
“It’s great when you see a plan move into action,” said city manager Jeff Downes, adding that many big ideas become stuck in the “talking” stage.
Downes backed up Curry, recounting the two key phrases that drive the city’s plan for the future: continuing partnerships and quality of place.
“This project showcases a continuing partnership between the city and Liberty Park,” Downes said, adding that the quality of the new development will be, “something that will be the envy of everybody in the greater Birmingham area.” ❖
