Plans unveiled for Larkway Gardens redevelopment
BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC) - It's been called a "body dump" by some, but the abandoned Larkway Gardens in Birmingham's West End are set to be demolished and rebuilt.
Larkway Gardens used to be the best place to live according to Councilwoman Sheila Tyson, who has lived in the West End of Birmingham her entire life.
But for the past 15 years, it's been a beacon of crime.
The city took over the old buildings, which are in horrible shape. Just two weeks ago, police found the body of a man, apparently dumped in one of the units.
On Thursday, plans for the new facility was unveiled. It will consist of garden homes, apartments, a work-out and recreation center. There will be units for assisted living, and even an area for patients with Alzheimer's disease.
The city council approved $450,000 to demolish the old buildings and make way for a facility that will appeal to seniors in the area.
Councilwoman Tyson has made demolishing the old units a priority even before she was elected on the council.
"You know what, the process shouldn't have took this long, but that's here not there. We are ready, we are happy, and we are going to clean up this area. This is going to be the pilot to where we can take it to cities all over the city of Birmingham. We're going to bring life back to that area, we're going to motivate people. You're just going to see so many positive things happen over there now," Tyson said.
Tyson believes that demolition work should begin any day, so the new construction can begin.
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