Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

National

Sewell announces $14.5 million to reconnect historic Birmingham Black Business District

Funding will be used to improve access by converting Birmingham’s Black Main Street from a one-way to a two-way road.

A view of downtown Birmingham near Railroad Park. STOCK
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, AL-0, announced on Monday that the City of Birmingham has been awarded $14,556,040 from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to reconnect the Historic 4th Avenue Black Business District. Funding comes from DOT’s Neighborhood Access and Equity (NAE) grant program and will be used to improve access to businesses and neighborhoods by converting Birmingham’s Black Main Street from a one-way to a two-way road.

“Birmingham’s 4th Avenue Business District has a rich history of African American ingenuity and entrepreneurship,” said Rep. Sewell.“With the help of the Biden-Harris Administration, we are working to ensure that the residents, workers, and businesses of this historic place have the infrastructure they need to thrive. This major federal investment will help reconnect our communities and pave the way for strong and equitable growth!”

Birmingham’s Historic 4th Avenue Business District was once a thriving hub of Black businesses and community before it was divided by the construction of Interstate 65 in the 1960s. Funding from this grant will be used to redesign 15 blocks of streets, converting them from one-way to two-way and reconnecting downtown neighborhoods and businesses.

The Alabama Political Reporter is a daily political news site devoted to Alabama politics. We provide accurate, reliable coverage of policy, elections and government.

More from APR

Governor

The Community Services Block Grants will be distributed to 18 community action agencies.

Governor

Ivey awarded the grants from funds supplied to the state through the U.S. Department of Justice.

Congress

Sewell was the only member of Alabama’s congressional delegation to vote in favor of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Governor

The funds were made available by the U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.