Discussion continues over Brookwood orthopedics rezoning

At its July 13 meeting, the council held a public hearing for rezoning the property at 525 Brookwood Blvd. to Institutional District for the construction of an orthopedics center and 500-car parking deck. The planning commission approved the plan at its meeting the week prior.

Gonzalez, Strength and Associates presented its plans for the construction, which includes aerial walkways connecting the building to the main medical center, a new right turn lane on Brookwood Boulevard's southbound lane to connect to the parking deck and re-striping to add a new left-turn only lane at the Brookwood Boulevard-Brookwood Medical Center Drive intersection.

In response to concerns from neighboring business Birmingham Metroplex about additional traffic caused by the new business and more people on the crosswalks, Gonzalez Strength representative Jon Rasmussen noted that the company's traffic study showed the new lanes would improve traffic flow and parking deck renovations, including new elevators and waiting lobbies, are on the way as well.

He also announced the intentions of Select Medical Long Term Acute Care to relocate to Brookwood in August, bringing a $35 million economic impact in the first year. As part of its merger with Baptist Health Systems, Tenet Health is investing $250,000 in various hospitals over the next five years, including at Brookwood as the system's flagship hospital.

A resolution to approve the rezoning failed because it did not get the needed unanimous vote. It will come before the council again at the July 27 meeting.