ENSLEY RISING
ENSLEY RISING
restoring ENSLEY, AL to its commercial and cultural glory
OUR STRATEGY
OUR STRATEGY
“We don’t just build buildings, we
help buildings build communities”
PROMOTE INDUSTRIAL JOB GROWTH
Mayor Woodfin seeks to coordinate a comprehensive economic and community development strategy for Ensley, marshalling public and private resources and anchored by the vision and guidance of local merchants and residents.
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Photo Credit: Isidore Newman & Son Photographs, 1908, Birmingham Public Library
In the early 20th century, Ensley, Alabama was home to a world-class steel production facility, making the area a booming industrial destination for working-class families in West Birmingham. Industry gave way to arts and culture, and from the 1910's to 1940's, Ensley became a mecca of black business, jazz and blues.
The intersection of Ensley Avenue and 19th Street was affectionately known by locals as Tuxedo Junction, and was the heart and soul of social life for black residents from the 1920's to the 1940's. Conveniently located at the terminus of two major streetcar lines, the area quickly grew from a modest commercial district to a booming center for music and late-night socializing for nearby residents and after-work-hours commuters. It wasn't long before the area became a haven and driver of night-life tourism from miles around. Birmingham-native Jazz musician, Erskine Hawkins, forever immortalized the area with his popular 1939 hit, "Tuxedo Junction". Other noteworthy musicians were connected to the area throughout the years, with many beginning their early careers playing the local bars and blues joints in the area.
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restoring ENSLEY, AL to its commercial and cultural glory
today
today
Once the home to 45,000 jobs in Birmingham, Ensley lost 40,000 after US Steel consolidated its primary steel operations. Some local property owners and third generation businesses have held on and are now ready to see Ensley rise like the a phoenix from the ashes.
Ensley District Developers, led by Henderson & Company and Direct Invest Development, has authored a bold revitalization plan. Using a twin-fisted approach of redeveloping the neighborhood as a logistics and entertainment hub, we hope to attract new tenants while supporting the expansion of existing area businesses.
OUR VISION
Make Ensley a model for place-based economic and community development that elevates the quality of life of current residents and local merchants while attracting external investment.
OUR VISION
OUR PROJECTS
The Ramsay McCormack Building Site
The new Building is the catalytic revitalization project that will energize the rebirth of the post-industrial community of Ensley, AL.
This 30,000 square feet of new construction will be built on the Historic Ramsay McCormack Building site at 19th and E. The development team, anchored by preservationist Irvin Henderson, (board member emeritus of the National Trust of Historic Preservation and former Chair of the National Trust Community Investment Corporation), made every attempt to rehabilitate and restore the Ramsay McCormack Building, but after 34 years of decay, the exterior masonry systems were irreparable due to rust and detachment of the steel spine of the building.
The new structure will be a five-story building with
character-defining features reminiscent of the historic structure. The Ramsay McCormack building site will be the centerpiece of the revitalization of Ensley, heralding a bright new future for a vibrant central business district.
