Greater Birmingham Humane Society’s new campus eyed for economic development project

The Greater Birmingham Humane Society is seeking a new home. Where will it be?

THE GBHS has had their eye on the former Trinity Steel site as a potential new home for their organization since 2017. But they aren’t the only ones eyeing the 27-acre property in Titusville.

“While the County will make a formal announcement at the appropriate time, I will confirm that the owner of the property, the Jefferson County Economic and Industrial Development Authority (JCEIDA), has received an offer from an IT company to purchase the Trinity site for more than $3 million,” said David Carrington, Jefferson County Commissioner. “The Commission is committed to working with the Humane Society to identify an alternate location.”

As of now, no sites have been presented to GBHS.

Like with most situations, there are pros and cons to the property being purchased by the tech company.

Local officials have stated that the company is looking to hire at least 80 highly-payed employees. And, because of the large size of the site that’s up for grabs, along with its proximity to Innovation Depot and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, this could mean it will be transformed into a larger high-tech campus.

This could potentially lead to more data center and technology growth in the Southeast, which has been on the rise for several years.

GBHS, on the other hand, has their own specific plan and vision for the site.

Their goal is to establish a 27-acre “Campus of Compassion”. The project would house the three entities of GBHS:

• The adoption and education center;
• The animal care and control division; and
• The Alabama shelter veterinarians

Currently, all three facilities are located in different areas throughout Birmingham. The new site would allow everything to be housed together in one location.

According to Allison Black Cornelius, GBHS CEO, the GBHS project would be a transformation for the Titusville neighborhood. She has said that the nonprofit is already being approached by companies, including microbreweries, retail stores and a coffee company – all of which want to be part of the organizations proposed campus.

Cornelius has also said that GBHS is hoping to incorporate a large event space that would attract nonprofits looking for space to hold fundraisers after the closure of the Cahaba Grand.

“This is not just a pound,” said Cornelius. “It’s a mixed-use development.”

Local officials have stated that the previously approved gifting of the property of GBHS is contingent on rezoning the property to allow the nonprofits project to proceed, but that rezoning has not yet occurred.

Still, GBHS is committed to moving forward with its plans for the Trinity site.

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, a huge supporter of GBHS and its work in the community, said in a statement that he is committed to supporting GBHS’s long-term success.

Woodfin’s representatives said the mayor is working with the Jefferson County Commission in reviewing options for the property and hopes to have a recommendation for the council soon.

Who do you think the property should go to?