Year in Preview: Planned neighborhoods break ground this winter

Residents of Liberty Park and those visiting the area will see a number of changes throughout 2016.

A first quarter construction start is planned for a 9,000-square-foot building adjacent to the Prominence Shops at Liberty Park, said developer Brooks Sanders, vice president of Sanders Capital Partners.

Located across the parking lot from the Prominence Shops, the new structure will contain a mix of restaurant and retail tenants with Your Pie, a fast casual pizza restaurant, already committed to a 2,500-square-foot space.

“There will be another two to three shops and we will probably target one additional restaurant, possibly a coffee shop,” Brooks said. “Building completion is planned for summer with the first tenant opening in the fall.”

The cost of the project will be approximately $2.5-3.5 million, he said.

“We’re excited about the prospect of bringing this project to Vestavia Hills and to Liberty Park,” Brooks said. “With the Prominence Shops of Liberty Park being the only shopping area within the neighborhood and 100 percent occupied, we think there is great demand for additional space.”

The Liberty Park Joint Venture will open two new neighborhoods in 2016, said Shawn Arterburn, Joint Venture vice president.

The Enclave, adjacent to Heritage Hills, will feature nine homes designed for empty nester living with a ranch style flavor.  Pricing will be in the high $500,000 range and development is set to begin in late winter, with a presale scheduled for late summer.

Scheduled to begin in concert with the Enclave, the Overlook will have 50 homes, some of which will be lakefront. Priced in the low $500,000 range, the houses will be traditional, craftsman and Tudor styles with two and three-door garage options, he said. According to Arterburn, there is a shortage of homes in Vestavia Hills that the Joint Venture wants to address.

In addition to new homes, Arterburn said plans are in the works for a retail location.

“Somewhere down the road this year, we hope to introduce a convenience store site at the corner of Liberty Parkway and South Liberty Lane to serve those who live, recreate and work in Liberty Park,” he said. “There will also be additional office and retail space with condos above.”

The Vestavia Hills Parks and Recreation Foundation has its sights set on the Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex Park as its primary focus in 2016.

The nonprofit organization’s most recent project includes the transformation of 40 acres adjacent to the Liberty Park Athletic Complex into a passive park.

According to Leigh Belcher, foundation executive director, members expect phase one of the park to be turned over to them and the city in early 2016. 

Belcher said plans for phase one include a three-mile trail system, pavilion, bathrooms, splash pad, and playground and exercise equipment.

The parks and recreation foundation will also work this year to raise money to fund phase two of the park. Those plans include an amphitheatre and dog park, with a price tag of about $500,000, Belcher said.