Tuscaloosa historic panel approves a batch of exterior alterations, from walkways to awnings

The Tuscaloosa Historic Preservation Commission approved multiple certificate of appropriateness applications at its May 7, 2025 hearing, granting clearance for exterior alterations at properties across the city’s historic districts.

The approvals were determined under the city’s design guidelines and the commission’s standards for rehabilitation and alterations. Staff reminded applicants that each approval requires a final inspection and that applicants must consult city staff if plans change.

Notable approvals included:

- 305 Seventeenth Avenue (Pinehurst Historic District): Applicant Judith Rabel received approval to remove and replace a front walkway; the existing stamped square features remain and the new path will be smooth‑finished concrete. Rabel said, "I think looking at that picture says it all." The commission approved the certificate.

- 721 Queen City Avenue (Eighth Street Historic District): Laura Welton was approved to remove an attached carport; the applicant will replace the cornice to match the existing home, install wood soffit and fascia, and add a 6‑inch seamless gutter with one downspout. Staff noted the existing carport was added in 1980 and commissioners described the action as straightforward.

- 24 Buena Vista (Buena Vista Historic District): Virginia and Rich Houston were approved to modify the size and locations of side and rear windows to accommodate an interior reconfiguration. Materials will remain aluminum‑clad wood and cedar shake siding will match existing.

- 2 Sherwood Drive (Sherwood Drive Historic District): T Town Ventures LLC received approval for a design change to a previously approved addition. The commission approved switching the addition’s windows from aluminum‑clad wood to PVC on the new section and minor adjustments to window and door locations and a slightly widened breezeway; staff noted the change in materials had been approved previously on other projects.

- 17 Sherwood Drive (Sherwood Drive Historic District): Application to replace existing single‑pane, rotting wood windows with aluminum‑clad wood windows across the structure and to change the front door from a single door with sidelights to a solid mahogany French door was approved. Applicant Kasey Lipsker and co‑applicant Nathan (address on record) told the commission the wood windows were single‑pane and rotting, and they sought upgraded, more consistent fenestration.

- 17 Oakwood Court (Oakwood Court Historic District): Mary Lopez was approved to replace rotted single‑pane wood windows with PVC windows where no change to size or light pattern was proposed.

- 1818 University Boulevard (Druid City Historic District): Alice Maxwell and sign contractor Jessica Harcrow of Knight Sign Industries were approved to raise existing metal light fixtures, install individual aluminum channel letters on the facade and to replace an awning with Sunbrella fabric on the existing frame; staff displayed proposed sign dimensions and materials. Maxwell said the lettering included "KW Tuscaloosa" per Keller Williams International branding requirements.

For each approval staff confirmed there would be a final inspection and asked applicants to consult staff before making any changes to the approved materials or configurations.