Opportunities abound for Cahaba Heights: community seen as prime target for new development

Starr Rogers can describe the value of her community in one word: convenience. 

“The proximity to The Summit, all the different grocery stores, the post office and all the nice restaurants,” Rogers said. “It’s just close enough in to downtown to be convenient.”

Despite the ideal location, she thinks Vestavia Hills needs to take a closer look at its hidden community across U.S. 280.

“Cahaba Heights needs some spring cleaning,” Rogers said. “The infrastructure seems poor. Vestavia Hills needs to put more money into this community and spruce it up.”

Rogers, who lives in Wellington Park near Overton Road, recalls going to a friend’s house in central Vestavia Hills and noticing a beautiful park. She sees no reason why her own community can’t have something similar. 

 Cahaba Heights was annexed into Vestavia Hills in 2002 and in November 2008, Vestavia Hills introduced the Cahaba Heights Community Plan, a focused section of the city’s comprehensive plan. The 60-page document proposes improvements to the community’s entryways, transportation flow, commercial centers, community facilities and neighborhoods.

In the early stages of the plan, community workshops were held where more than 200 residents, business people and property owners discussed both the assets and concerns of Cahaba Heights. Assets included the unique village atmosphere, friendly people and ample shopping and employment opportunities within the community. Concerns included few sidewalks, no community library annex and lack of clear gateways/community focus.

“The image needs improving,” Rogers said. “I know the economy went south back in 2006. But more money needs to be put into the area. We have no park. Also, areas like Crosshaven need sidewalks.”

Five years later, it is clear for people like Rogers that the community needs answers. In July, Jeff Downes was hired as the new city manager. His strategy to improve the quality of life in Vestavia Hills focuses on local retail development. For Cahaba Heights, he said improvements lie in maximizing mixed-use development.

“The plan was developed during a recession period. Cahaba Heights presents a great opportunity for private development and retail,” Downes said. “The goal is to make an area that is a destination, that creates desire.”

For business owners, a plan focusing on retail efforts is crucial. Cummings Jewelry has been in Heights Village since 1999 and owner Jennifer Cummings couldn’t be happier at her location.

“Everyone loves the convenience of the area and easy accessibility from The Summit and Highway 280,” Cummings said. “Ourselves and our customers enjoy the varied shops in the area and how they are majority family-owned and non chain-type stores.” 

However, she is concerned about lack of pedestrian accessibility surrounding the village.

“The only thing I would like to see would be sidewalks down Cahaba Heights Road, but I don’t know if that’s a possibility,” Cummings said. “Accessibility means return customers.”

Downes noted that the need for more sidewalks voiced by both Rogers and Cummings is a fundamental part of the development process. The plan specifically calls for sidewalks at the intersection of Dolly Ridge Road and Cahaba Heights Road, a central gateway to the community.

“The plan does address this desire for pedestrian-friendly streets,” Downes said. “There are certain segments that have great opportunity. The look and feel of these natural areas should be embraced.”

Downes noted the positive aspects of the city over the last five years, such as the significant redevelopment of the parts of the community affected by the 2011 tornadoes. In September, Heights Village gained the new restaurant FoodBar and also hosted the second annual Cahaba Crawl, an evening event that allowed the businesses in the area to showcase fall merchandise.

Downes assured residents and business owners that the community has not been forgotten.

“We are working very hard to move forward with development projects,” Downes said. “We want people to know there is a daily effort to move forward with Cahaba Heights.”

 The Cahaba Heights Community Plan can be accessed at vestaviahills.net.