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Commission approves first‑floor renovation plan for 400 East Lincoln to house Next
Summary
The Birmingham City Commission on May 4 approved Newman Smith Architects’ design for renovating the former YMCA at 400 East Lincoln, directing staff to issue a request for proposals for construction design‑build services. Commissioners debated elevator funding for later phases but voted to proceed with the first‑floor scope for Next.
The Birmingham City Commission voted May 4 to approve the architectural design plan for renovating the first floor of 400 East Lincoln — the former YMCA — and directed staff to issue a request for proposals for construction design‑build services.
Newman Smith Architecture presented a floor plan that converts the roughly 16,000‑square‑foot first floor into a senior services center for Next, with a reception area, computer room, expanded kitchen to support Meals‑on‑Wheels, multipurpose and art rooms, an enlarged lounge/cafe, and exercise spaces including pickleball lines in the gymnasium. “Our scope here today only deals with the first floor,” said Jim Stock, design director at Newman Smith, describing accessibility upgrades, new barrier‑free restrooms, updated fire alarms, LED lighting and other life‑safety improvements.
Chris Braun, director of Next, told commissioners he was “thrilled” with the plan and expects the members the organization serves will be pleased when they see renderings. The motion to approve the plan and authorize staff to seek contractor proposals passed on a roll call after commissioners debated whether to include an ADA elevator now or defer it to a later phase. Commissioner Host said an elevator is necessary to make the entire building usable by people with limited mobility; Mayor Balor and other commissioners said the current vote covers only Phase 1 to get Next into the space on a required schedule, and that subsequent phases could address an elevator and upper‑ and lower‑level renovations.
The commission’s action sends the approved design forward to cost‑estimating and procurement. Staff said the next steps include selecting interior finishes, finalizing construction documents and estimating costs so the project can be prioritized against the city’s budget and millage funding. Commissioners asked that future phases and elevator options be explored and that staff return with costs and a recommended schedule before proceeding beyond the first‑floor work.
The vote was 5–1 in favor; Commissioner Host voted no over the lack of an elevator in the Phase‑1 scope. The city manager and project staff said they will return with construction procurement documents and schedule milestones for the commission’s next review.
