Birmingham Approves $2M for New Mixed-Use Development Near City Walk

The Tower at Uptown project will bring housing, retail, and commercial spaces to a former school service center.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 7:23pm

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The Birmingham City Council has approved a $2 million loan agreement to help transform the former Birmingham Board of Education Service Center into a new mixed-use development called The Tower at Uptown. The project, led by developer RPG Birmingham, LLC, will include 25 housing units, a food hall, co-working spaces, a mini-grocery store, and various other retail and commercial tenants.

Why it matters

This development represents a strategic investment in revitalizing an underutilized property and bringing new housing, retail, and commercial opportunities to the City Walk corridor in Birmingham. It is expected to create jobs, spur economic growth, and have a long-term positive impact on the community.

The details

The $28 million project will involve new construction as well as renovation and rebranding of the existing 50,000-square-foot building. In addition to the 25 housing units, the development plans to include a food hall, Uptown Fitness, co-working spaces, a mini-grocery store, a coffee shop, a sports bar, law and CPA offices, an empowerment center, an urgent care clinic, and a dog grooming business near City Walk's dog park.

  • The Birmingham City Council approved the $2 million loan agreement on January 27, 2026.
  • The project is expected to take approximately 18 months to complete.

The players

RPG Birmingham, LLC

The developer leading the Tower at Uptown project.

Crystal Smitherman

Birmingham City Councilor who praised the project as a strategic investment for the city.

Jeff Riddle

A representative from RPG Birmingham, LLC who provided details about the project to the city's budget committee.

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What they’re saying

“This project represents the kind of thoughtful, strategic investment Birmingham needs. By leveraging the Birmingham Business Development Program, we are helping transform a long-underutilized property into a mixed-use development that will bring new housing, retail and commercial opportunities to this corridor.”

— Crystal Smitherman, Birmingham City Councilor

“We are proposing to take the large building, which is about 50,000 square feet, and make it part of a holistic development.”

— Jeff Riddle, RPG Birmingham

What’s next

The project is expected to take approximately 18 months to complete, with a targeted completion date in mid-2027.

The takeaway

This mixed-use development represents a strategic investment in revitalizing an underutilized property and bringing new housing, retail, and commercial opportunities to the City Walk corridor in Birmingham. It is expected to create jobs, spur economic growth, and have a long-term positive impact on the community.