Times staff report
The City of Birmingham is accepting submissions from developers to design, finance, build and operate a hotel where Trinity Church currently stands.
The city is hoping to add at least 100 rooms at the site on Carraway Boulevard to accommodate the growing number of visitors attending downtown events and shows.
The abandoned church property has taken on greater visibility since the 2021 opening of Protective Stadium nearby, and the opening this year of the Coca-Cola Amphitheater.
“This isn’t just about building a hotel; it’s about building a future that benefits everyone in our community,” said Coreata’ R. Houser, interim director of the Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity. “We want a development that reflects Birmingham’s unique character, supports our local economy, and creates a welcoming space that people will be proud of for years to come.”
“It’s often the case that if we have a big event here, people are staying as far away as Huntsville before they can get a hotel room,” said Darrell O’Quinn, Birmingham City Council president.
Local businesses are embracing the prospect of additional hotel rooms near downtown attractions. Kaden Rennaker, who works at Mugshots, said he’s already seeing the impact of recent developments on local businesses.
“Ever since they built that new amphitheater over here and the BJCC and Protective, all the businesses have been crazy. I think it wouldn’t do anything but help us help more people in here, which it already is crazy as it is, but I wouldn’t mind getting more people in here, obviously,” said Rennaker.
O’Quinn said the project will complement the continued growth happening in Birmingham.
“With Protective Stadium, with the amphitheater, with the potential developments at the Carraway property, we’re expecting continued growth,” O’Quinn said.
For Rennaker, the hotel project represents Birmingham’s positive transformation and growing appeal to visitors.
“Birmingham gets a bad rep a lot of times, but it’s coming around. People are liking to come and stay,” Rennaker said. “I get people at the bar all the time who say Birmingham is so much better than they thought it would be. Having stuff like this that’s fun and entertaining is great for the city.”
The request for proposals was released Sept. 17, the city said, with a site for prospective developers is set for Oct. 20, from 2 to 3 p.m.
The submission deadline for proposals is Oct. 31, at 4 p.m., with details available on Birmingham’s website.
WBRC and AL.com contributed to this post.
