Community Anticipates Renewal as Birmingham Seeks Grants for Ensley
Ensley, AL – Residents and business owners in Ensley are breathing a hopeful sigh as the city of Birmingham takes meaningful steps towards revitalizing the area. On Tuesday, city officials announced plans to apply for two substantial grants aimed at enhancing the infrastructure and community spirit of Ensley.
Initiating Positive Change
The first grant Birmingham is pursuing is a 1-million dollar Community Projects Funding grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This funding would primarily focus on developing a master plan for both Ensley Works and the Birmingport infrastructure. Local businesses are optimistic that these plans could attract more residents back to the area.
“It’s a nice place to live, so hopefully, they’ll put some money into the community. We’ll get some houses out here, and people will move back… It would be really nice,” said Emma Gray, owner of Robert and Emma Florist located on Avenue E in Ensley.
Gray’s sentiment reflects a common hope among Ensley business owners. Many believe that improvements could lead to revitalizing the area, drawing in new families, and ultimately reigniting the community’s vibrancy.
Desire for New Families
Robert Goggins, manager of Ensley Beauty Supply, shared similar thoughts. “We’re excited about what potentially could be – some new families coming to the area, strengthening the infrastructure here… a lot of families have migrated out of the area,” he said. Goggins, who has been a part of the Ensley community for several decades, expressed enthusiasm about welcoming new residents.
Strategic Development for Historic Sites
The second grant Birmingham plans to apply for is a 2-million dollar award through the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA). This funding will be dedicated to developing a strategy to breathe new life into Ensley Works, a historical steel mill that operated from 1888 to 1976.
The effort falls under the Site Evaluation and Economic Development Strategy Act (SEEDS) Program, which aims to accelerate the readiness of industrial sites across Alabama. In the first round of SEEDS funding, the state distributed 30-million dollars to crucial development sites, emphasizing the importance of revitalizing underserved areas like Ensley.
Reflecting on the Past
Both Gray and Goggins recall a time when Ensley thrived, filled with vibrant storefronts and bustling community activity. “I’ve been in Ensley since we got married, and we’ve been married 60 years,” Gray reminisced. “When we first came here, there were a lot of stores in Ensley… it was just so many stores, and all of them are gone.”
Goggins has also seen a substantial shift over the years. “A lot of things have changed since the mid-80s when I first started here. There were many more businesses, a lot more infrastructure. That kind of started phasing out in the 80s and into the 90s,” he remarked.
A Community United in Hope
The potential grants and subsequent developments signify a crucial turning point for Ensley. Local business owners appreciate the city’s initiative and hope that this momentum builds a foundation for future growth and restoration. All eyes will be on Birmingham as they apply for the grants and work towards revitalizing a community that has long awaited a new beginning.
The recognition of Ensley’s past, paired with a vision for its future, inspires a renewed sense of community. With supportive initiatives in place, residents remain optimistic that positive changes are on the horizon.
