• Who We Are

      community based economic developers

      Urban Impact, Inc.

      Urban Impact Inc. (UII) is a 501 (c)(3) local place based community and economic development agency that advances asset building, economic opportunity and revitalization of the Historic 4th Avenue Business District and the Civil Rights District through support and services to assist individuals, businesses and developers.

    • ABOUT US

      Courtesy of Birmingham Public Library

      Our Mission

      Photo Courtesy of Linn Henley Library

      Our mission is to promote economic development; build relationships with community stakeholders; preserve the historical integrity of the community and provide quality services that will enhance the quality of life for area businesses and residents.

      Strategic Vision

      Photo Courtesy of Linn Henley Library

      Urban Impact will lead efforts to link the Historic 4th Avenue Business District (4ABD) and the historic Civil Rights District (CRD) into one cohesive growth community. The 4ABD and CRD will become a vibrant, safe, and economically sustainable community with rising incomes, revenues and property values that are attractive to families of mixed incomes, businesses, and entrepreneurs. It will become a community of choice and opportunity where people live, work, shop, learn, play and experience history.

    • CURRENT EVENTS

      Jory's Journey 3rd Annual Walk and Fun Day

      "Walking for Possibilities and Resources"

      Saturday, April 14, 2018

      Railroad Park

      8 AM - 12 PM

      The Taste of 4th Avenue Jazz Festival

      Saturday, August 25, 2018

    • Download our Urban Impact Primer Presentation

      Leading. Building. Growing.

    • Historic 4th Avenue Business District Corridor

      We're Now a Network Community!

    • New Business Development and Business Attraction

      Our New Business Development and Business Attraction program is designed nurture new opportunities, facilitate commercial site readiness, recruit developers and retailers, and market initiatives. Our team and partners provide critical leadership in design review requirements, permitting and other development requirements. The team focuses on those activities that will link clients to investments and other resources to attract and spur development throughout the district.

       

      Welcome to our newest businesses!

       

      Color Me Beautiful by Tracey Philpott

      312 16th Street North, Birmingham AL 35203

      (205) 396-7766.

      styleseat.com/traceyphilpott

       

       

      The Lock Oasis

      1518 3rd Ave N, Birmingham, Alabama 35203

      thelockoasis.webs.com

      (205) 332-2010

       

      Ferrill African Wear

      320 16th Street North, Birmingham, AL 35203

      facebook.com/ferrillafricanwear

      (205) 529-1182

       
      Please come by and check them out!

       

       

       

    • Available Buildings and Properties

      The district has multiple properties and buildings available to help serve you and your project.

      Commercial/Mixed Use Development Opportunity

      1601 4th Ave. N. 35203

      This property space is 200 x 180 and is available for ground lease development. Please contact Urban Impact 205-328-1850 or email Darryl Washington at dwashington@urbanimpactbirmingham.org.

      A.G. Gaston Office Building & LR HALL Auditorium

      1527 5th Ave. N. 35203

      The space is available for lease and rental for events. Please contact Urban Impact at 205-328-1850 or email Darryl Washington at dwashington@urbanimpactbirmingham.org.

      Jazzi's On 3rd

      1725 3rd Avenue North 35203

      It is now available for your events. Please contact Patrice Blankenship for details and rental 205-243-4761.

      Arthur D. Shores Law Center Building

      413 16th Street North, Birmingham AL 35203

      Property Available for Sale

      Please contact Urban Impact at 205-328-1850 or email Darryl Washington at dwashington@urbanimpactbirmingham.org.

      Old Plasma Building

      1620 3rd Avenue North, Birmingham AL 35203

      Property Available for Sale

      Contact Matt Gilchrist - mattg@grahamcompany.com

    • Business Services

      Creating opportunity for business development and growth in the district is a major focus for Urban Impact. We are here to assist the merchants of the Fourth Avenue Merchants Association as well as you and your business by helping you find the information and services you need to locate your business here, grow your business or keep your business thriving. We are leading the way to retain, create and develop strong entrepreneurs and businesses for future expansion and job creation. Our services include access to individual counseling, workshops, financial product reviews and information exchange.

    • Board of Directors

      Quincy Moore

      Chairman

      Moore's Barber & Style Shop/Business Owner

      Dr. Delmous Vance, III

      Vice Chair

      Citizens Express Pharmacy/Owner

      Willie Etheridge, Jr.

      Treasurer

      Etheridge Brothers and Sister Barber and Salon/Business Owner

      Carol Clarke

      Secretary 

      Southside Development Company, LLC/General Manager

      Arthur Bailey

      Birmingham Coca Cola Bottling Company/Operations Business Development Manager

      Sammie Bibb, Jr.

      Booker T. Washington Insurance/Retired Executive

      Kim Earl

      Independent Financial Consultant/Principal

      A. Jackie Robinson, III

      IBM/Consulting Executive

      Cecil Eric Love

      Retired Birmingham City Schools Administrator

      Rochelle Malone

      Business Owner/ Motivational Speaker

      Ralph Williams

      Alabama Power Company/Governmental and Community Affairs Manager Birmingham Division

      Jason Eppenger

      Alabama Market President/Citizens Trust Bank

      Rev. Arthur Price, Jr.

      Sixteenth Street Baptist Church/Pastor

      Greg Gratton

      Green Acres Café/Chief Executive Officer

      Peter J. Davis, Esq.

      Davis and Scruggs Law Offices/Attorney at Law

      Lucien Blakenship, Esq.

      The Blakenship Law Firm

      Percy Hornbuckle, Jr.

      Owner of Magic City Barbershop

    • The Team

      Ivan W. Holloway, MURP

      Executive Director

      Darry Washington, MPPM

      Chief Operations Officer

      Octavia Grady, MACM

      Community Relations & Partnerships Officer

      Elijah E. Davis

      Business Development Officer

      Niya Davis

      Office Assistant

    • Investors

      Investing in the Community

      Old Penny Savings Bank, 1910s - Photo Courtesy of Linn Henley Library

      Thank you to all of the individuals and organizations that share in the vision and mission of Urban Impact by investing and partnering. Your support is greatly appreciated.

      Financial Investors

      Alabama Power Foundation

      Carole Clark

      Charles Ball

      City of Birmingham-Community Development Department

      City of Birmingham-Mayor’s Office and City Council

      Greg Gratton

      Ivan Holloway

      PNC Bank

      Wells Fargo Bank

       

                                         

      A special thanks to our community partners and volunteers who assist us in so many ways.

       

      Community Partners

      Alabama College of Barber Instruction, Inc.

      Antrice Nelson - Nelson Bros Cafe

      Band of Brothers Co.

      Birmingham Coca Cola

      BTC

      Charles Hicks

      Etheridge Brothers Car Wash

      Etheridge Brother and Sister Barber Shop and Salon

      Green Acres Café

      Magic City Snappers Social Aid & Pleasure Pond

      Magnolia BBQ & Fish

      Metro Birmingham Chapter NAACP

      Nelson Bros. Cafe

      Sylvester Dawson - Dawson Barber Shop

      Talk of the Town Barber Shop

      Your Flower Shop

       

      Volunteers

      Vera Anderson

      William Merriweather

      Marley Hicks, 2016 Intern

    • Donations

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Urban Impact is not-for-profit 501 (c) 3 organization. We are excited to be a partner with the City of Birmingham and receive funding, however the work that we do requires much more resources. Please consider supporting us and investing in us as we work to expand business and commercial development in the district. We are thrilled about the work that we do and future growth potential. Your donation, combined with donations from others like you will assist Urban Impact: Lead, Build and Grow a vibrant business district that will create jobs and strengthen the overall Birmingham economy.

    • F.A.Q

      You've got questions, we've got answers!

      1. What is Urban Impact?

      Urban Impact is the economic development engine for the Historic 4th Avenue Business District and the greater Civil Rights District, a nationally renowned destination district in the city of Birmingham. This prime development area is home to the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame/Carver Theater, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Birmingham Civil Rights Activist Committee, Eddie Kendricks Memorial Park. Kelly Ingram Park and the historic Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, and tourists and visitors to various parts of the district exceed 140,000 annually.

      2. What does Urban Impact do?

      Urban Impact provides services to private-sector clients who are considering locating or expanding their business in the district.

      3. How long has Urban Impact been here

      Urban Impact has been in the district since 1980. Please visit our About Page for more information.

      4. Is Urban Impact a non-profit?

      Urban Impact is a non-profit organization receiving funding from various sources to assist in the economic development of the 4th Avenue business corridors and the greater Civil Rights District.

      5. Is Urban Impact open for tours on weekends?

      Not usually, but on a case-by-case basis, and by appointment only, we have made our facility available on weekends.  Please contact us for more information.

      6. What events does Urban Impact have available for the community?

      What was formerly known as 1st Fridays in Kelly Ingram Park, we host a series of musical events from June through September. We also host the 4th Avenue Christmas Parade and various Black History events. Urban Impact is also often a sponsor for other community events as well. Please check back with us often or our website for future events.

      7. To whom does a potential merchant contact about available space in the district?

      Potential merchants can call the Urban Impact office to receive a list of space available, if applicable or see our website.

      8. What services are available for merchants and business owners in the district?

      Some of the services we offer include assisting merchants with lease agreements, applying for tax identification numbers, general clerical assistance and marketing resources. Individual counseling, workshops, financial product reviews and information exchange for merchants is also available.​

      9. What area is considered “The District” and is there expansion on the horizon?

      The 4th Avenue District covers 18th Street North to 15th Avenue North, Abraham Woods Blvd to 3rd Avenue North. Please contact our office for specific questions concerning boundaries and future expansion.

      10. What types of businesses are you looking to locate in the District?

      You name it! Currently the district is home to a number of eateries and retail shops, expanding on the theme of entertainment and retail to support the growth of the tourism industry is one opportunity. Other opportunities include professional services, technology and nonprofit agencies.

    • Social Feed

      Check out our latest updates!

    • Contact Us

      Don't be afraid to reach out. You + us = awesome.

      1721 4th Ave. North Suite 102

      Birmingham, AL 35203

      1721 4th Ave. N, Suite 102
      Birmingham, AL 35203
      Mon - Fri 8:30 AM - 4 :30 PM
      (205) 328 - 1850
      (205) 328 - 1850
      info@urbanimpactbirmingham.org
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