Birmingham's Southtown Court site is being prepared to become a mixed-use community incorporating retail space, residential units and plans for a cutting-edge biotech incubator that will benefit research and healthcare workers across the state. Edgehill at Southtown Court has permission as of this week to move forward with commercial plans for the property.

A newly signed land lease gives the Southside Development Company the authority to proceed with construction across 24 blocks.^Number The road connecting the street to the Red Mountain Expressway. The Birmingham Area Housing Authority will continue to own the land, and a private developer will develop it under a long-term ground lease.

The first commercial building will be a 150,000-square-foot structure on the corner of University Boulevard and 24th Street.^Number The street will house an incubator for biotech companies, in addition to the necessary supporting infrastructure such as roads, utilities and parking.

It will be the first part of the development of the Birmingham Biomedical Innovation Corridor, a key element of ongoing plans for Edgehill, Southtown Court.

The facility will be the state's first research and development corridor, made possible by state lawmakers under a package of workforce and economic development bills passed earlier this year. The biotechnology center will support the workforce needs of research facilities across the state. The research corridor framework is designed to benefit not only Birmingham, but cities across Alabama.

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The site will eventually house about 800,000 square feet of commercial space for the Biomedical Innovation Corridor, about half of which would be dedicated to research and development facilities and the rest would be available for innovation partners and medical office space. Other plans for the site include 50,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, a 150-200-room hotel and about 250 residential apartments.

“Our vision is to build on the community's current assets, including major medical and research institutions,” said Robert Simon, CEO of Corporate Realty, one of the companies that make up Southside Development. “This lease is the first step in delivering a vibrant, multifaceted community that not only offers inclusive housing, but also places to work, shop, dine, relax and play.”

Two housing complexes are already under construction west of Route 24.^Number It will be built on the street and serve many of the residents who used to live on Southtown Court. Birmingham-based BREC Development plans to open the 60-unit family building this fall.

Grayson Everett is the state and politics editor for Yellow Hammer News. You can follow him on Twitter. Grayson