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Council approves incentive to bring Carver Jones Market to former Save-A-Lot site in Southwest Birmingham
Summary
The council approved a performance-based incentive package for Carver Jones Market LLC to occupy a roughly 10,000 sq. ft. storefront at 833 Denison Ave SW, authorizing up to $850,000 in support (presented as $600,000 upfront plus up to $300,000 in tax abatements); staff added a $300,000 payment within 90 days of execution and $300,000 after 30 days of grand opening and said clawbacks and quarterly reporting apply.
The Birmingham City Council voted Dec. 2 to approve an incentive agreement to bring Carver Jones Market LLC to a vacant 10,000-square-foot retail space at 833 Denison Ave SW in Heritage Park Town Center.
City staff, represented by Corey Houser (director, Innovation/Economic Opportunity) and project manager Irene Johnson, framed the agreement as a strategic, performance-based investment to restore grocery access in an area the city describes as food-insecure. The resolution cited past grocery closures and market volatility, said the company plans to hire roughly 30 employees, and described a three-tier pricing model to serve varied income levels.
The resolution language referenced a total support amount "up to, but not to exceed, $850,000." Staff clarified the structure on the floor: $600,000 is the upfront incentive shown in the attachment, and up to $300,000 will be provided via sales-tax abatements in arrears. Based on committee feedback, staff added a changed disbursement schedule: $300,000 within 90 days of full execution and $300,000 after 30 days following grand opening. Houser also said the agreement includes clawback provisions if the store does not open and quarterly performance reporting to the city.
Carver Jones CEO James Harris described his multi-decade grocery background, said the build-out cost is about $2.1 million (including roughly $200,000 for a pharmacy fit-out), and said he expects Carver Jones Birmingham to employ approximately 30 people and to use a distributor network (including a Nashville hub) to secure fresh produce and meats. Harris described efforts to prioritize local suppliers and training for department leads to maintain fresh-produce and meat quality.
Councilors pressed on safeguards and accountability. Councilor Gunn asked about clawbacks and performance reporting; Houser said quarterly reports and performance-based tax abatement in arrears limit risk to the city. Councilor Smitherman and others emphasized neighborhood outreach and quality controls; council members requested the first-quarter performance report be presented to the Committee of the Whole.
The resolution was moved, seconded and adopted; the transcript records the presiding officer declaring Item 23 passed. Staff and the developer were asked to continue community engagement and to return quarterly performance information to the council.
